Effects of Ricinus communis L. seed and corbicular pollen extracts on the development of Drosophila melanogaster

Quiñones A.; Salirrosas D.; Tupes A.M.; Argomedo L.; León J.M.; Prieto Z. · Boletin Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromaticas (2026) · DOI: 10.37360/blacpma.26.25.4.35

Resumen

The seeds and leaves of Ricinus communis L. are known to contain toxic compounds; however, its pollen has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of aqueous extracts of R. communis L. seeds and pollen on the development of Drosophila melanogaster. Diets containing different concentrations of seed extracts and corbicular pollen from Apis mellifera were formulated, and the numbers of pupae and adults were recorded. Treatments with seed extract significantly resulted in a marked decrease in survival rates ranging from 1.33% to 30.67% for pupae and 0.33 to 22% for adults, compared to the control diet (45% and 37.67%, respectively). In contrast, diets supplemented with pollen extract showed remarkably higher survival rates, with approximately 72% of adults successfully emerging. In conclusion, R. communis L. seed extract inhibited the development of D. melanogaster, whereas the corbicular pollen extract promoted survival.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina