In vitro evaluation of the monoterpene linalool and the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys cladodes, individually and in combination, against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep
摘要
Anthelmintic resistance has prompted the search for alternative control strategies, such as the use of plant-derived compounds and biological control with nematophagous fungi. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic effect of linalool and its association with the fungus Arthrobotrys cladodes on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The larvicidal activity of linalool, alone and in combination with A. cladodes conidia, was assessed using the Larval Motility Inhibition Test (LMIT) on infective larvae (L3). Ten (10) experimental groups were designed, each with eight replicates, comprising treatments with linalool and A. cladodes conidia, alone and in combination, as well as ivermectin (positive control) and distilled water (negative control). Larval motility was evaluated under optical microscopy after 1, 7, and 14 days of exposure. A significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in the number of L3 larvae was observed in the groups treated with linalool combined with A. cladodes (G7–G10) compared to the negative control group (G1), starting at 24 h and reaching 100% reduction after 14 days. The groups treated only with A. cladodes conidia (G3 and G4) showed less effective reductions compared to the combined treatments. The larvicidal activity of the groups treated solely with linalool (G5 and G6) did not differ statistically (p > 0.05) from those treated with the fungus and linalool. It is concluded that the combination of linalool and A. cladodes conidia exhibits anthelmintic activity against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep, demonstrating a synergistic interaction between the nematophagous fungus and the monoterpene.