OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF MAHANARAYAN TAILA ON AMERICAN COCKROACH, PERIPLANETA AMERICANA L. (BLATTIDAE: BLATTODEA).

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), a prevalent household pest originating from tropical regions like India, poses a significant public health risk as a carrier of human pathogens. The present study investigated the effectiveness of "Mahanarayan Taila (MT)," an herbal oil, as an alternative solution. The repellent activity of the oil and its impact on biomolecules such as lipids and proteins in cockroaches was determined. Cockroaches were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of MT over 24, 48, 72, and 96 h to assess repellency. The oil at 1% concentration resulted in a 50% mortality of adults. Mortality data were analyzed using GraphPad software. The study revealed significant changes in lipid peroxide levels, correlating with the oil concentration, and a dose-dependent depletion in protein sulfhydryl levels alongside the formation of protein carbonyls. Behavioral changes were also documented, including a knockdown effect and the appearance of black residues on cockroaches. These findings highlight the potential of MT herbal oil as an effective and safer alternative for cockroach control. With its complex mixture of phenols, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, MT shows promise for surface treatments or fumigation in cockroach control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]