Characterization of medicinal plants native to Yacubiana and identification of bioactive compounds for biological control

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the medicinal plant species present in the community of Yacubiana and to identify the main bioactive compounds associated with their potential in biological pest control. The experimental material consisted of plant samples collected around households, gardens, forests, streams, and field boundaries in the area. To document botanical diversity and the associated ancestral knowledge, a structured 15-question survey was administered to 70 local inhabitants. Traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants was recorded, along with the presence of bioactive compounds with biocidal activity. Fourteen commonly used species were identified, including Mentha piperita, Matricaria recutita, Plantago australis, and Tilia platyphyllos, which are employed to treat common ailments but also contain metabolites with potential for pest management. Flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds were detected in species such as Piper aduncum, Petroselinum crispum, Chenopodium ambrosioides, and Annona muricata, whose insecticidal, fungicidal, acaricidal, and repellent effects have been reported in the scientific literature. Overall, ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants should be harnessed as an agroecological tool for phytosanitary control, especially in rural communities with limited access to commercial inputs. This approach contributes to reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and promoting biodiversity conservation.