<p>A natural insecticide is an eco-friendly method through which insects affecting food products are killed without the use of any chemical compounds, and this insecticide does not interfere with the qualities of the food grain, in any manner.</p>.<p>CSIR Emeritus Scientist, Zoology Department, University of Mysore, Dr T Shivanandappa said that the molecule named ‘Decaleside’ has the ability to kill stored-product insects affecting food grains such as wheat and green gram.<br /><br />With eco-friendly insecticides gaining more importance over the years, Dr Shivanandappa said that this molecule from the roots of ‘Decalepis hamiltonii’ can be used in protecting wheat stored in huge quantities. Also it can be used for protecting a home scale storage of wheat and green gram.<br /><br />He said that ‘Decalepis hamiltonii’ is a wild climber that grows in the hilly forests of peninsular India. The roots of the climber were used widely in folk medicine, he added. <br /><br />Dr Shivanandappa claims that the discovery of a natural insecticide is the first of its kind in the Indian Subcontinent. Having already received a patent from India, he said that the work is pending a patent from the USA.<br /><br />With the power to protect food grains, Dr Shivanandappa believes that if further clinical and industrial trials are undertaken, this root can be used in the preservation of seeds, which are usually very costly. He said that the discovery paves the way for protecting food grains immediately after harvesting.<br /><br />However, he bemoaned that scientists here are yet to tap huge potential available from Indian plants. He said that the new approach is towards unearthing eco-friendly insecticides, because many insects are becoming resistant to insecticides. He said that there is a constant need for drug discovery so that storage methods can be improved.<br /></p>
<p>A natural insecticide is an eco-friendly method through which insects affecting food products are killed without the use of any chemical compounds, and this insecticide does not interfere with the qualities of the food grain, in any manner.</p>.<p>CSIR Emeritus Scientist, Zoology Department, University of Mysore, Dr T Shivanandappa said that the molecule named ‘Decaleside’ has the ability to kill stored-product insects affecting food grains such as wheat and green gram.<br /><br />With eco-friendly insecticides gaining more importance over the years, Dr Shivanandappa said that this molecule from the roots of ‘Decalepis hamiltonii’ can be used in protecting wheat stored in huge quantities. Also it can be used for protecting a home scale storage of wheat and green gram.<br /><br />He said that ‘Decalepis hamiltonii’ is a wild climber that grows in the hilly forests of peninsular India. The roots of the climber were used widely in folk medicine, he added. <br /><br />Dr Shivanandappa claims that the discovery of a natural insecticide is the first of its kind in the Indian Subcontinent. Having already received a patent from India, he said that the work is pending a patent from the USA.<br /><br />With the power to protect food grains, Dr Shivanandappa believes that if further clinical and industrial trials are undertaken, this root can be used in the preservation of seeds, which are usually very costly. He said that the discovery paves the way for protecting food grains immediately after harvesting.<br /><br />However, he bemoaned that scientists here are yet to tap huge potential available from Indian plants. He said that the new approach is towards unearthing eco-friendly insecticides, because many insects are becoming resistant to insecticides. He said that there is a constant need for drug discovery so that storage methods can be improved.<br /></p>
