Bioactive molecules of Triadica sebifera as eco-friendly antifeedants against Plutella xylostella: a pest management approach

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and odorant receptors (ORs) have emerged as alternative targets for the development of environment-friendly molecules for pest management. The OBPs are the main proteins present in the antennal sensillum lymph of insects to perceive and interact with behaviorally active molecules in the long process of olfactory signal transduction. The disruption of olfaction by means of bioactive molecules could serve as an environment-friendly approach to alter the behavioral outcomes of insects for effective pest management. In this study, we have used in silico and experimental analysis to screen out behaviorally active molecules against Plutella xylostella. The selected molecules were subjected to docking, MD, and SMD simulations to analyze the binding affinity, stability, and conformational changes in the OBP1 and OR1 proteins. On the basis of in silico analysis, two behaviorally active molecules (ethyl gallate and methyl gallate) are selected to further check their antifeedant activity experimentally. Both molecules showed promising antifeedant/deterrent activity against the larvae of Plutella xylostella in experimental analysis at different concentrations, hence having the potential to be developed as novel antifeedants to protect crops grown under greenhouse and field conditions.