Scientists in Brazil have revealed that coffee beans contain proteins which have the potential to kill insects and this knowledge can be used to develop new insecticides capable of protecting food crops.
Their study, which suggests a new use for one of the most important tropical crops in the world, appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.
Exposure To Insecticide May Play Role In Obesity Epidemic Among Women
A new study has found that prenatal exposure to an insecticide commonly used up until the 1970s may play a role in the obesity epidemic in women.
A new study has found that prenatal exposure to an insecticide commonly used up until the 1970s may play a role in the obesity epidemic in women.
Their tests against cowpea weevil larva, insects used as models for studying the insecticidal activity of proteins, showed that tiny amounts of the coffee proteins quickly killed up to half of the insects. In the future, scientists could insert genes for these insect-killing proteins into important food crops, such as grains, so that plants produce their own insecticides, the researchers suggest. The proteins appear harmless to people.
Insecticide Resistant Mosquitoes Deepen Malaria Crisis in Nigeria
Roughly up to 300,000 people die each year from malaria in Nigeria, and the latest threat to combating is a rise in insecticide resistant mosquitoes, experts have warned.
Roughly up to 300,000 people die each year from malaria in Nigeria, and the latest threat to combating is a rise in insecticide resistant mosquitoes, experts have warned.
SAV
WHO-Recommended Treatment For Insecticide Poisoning Does Not Improve Survival
Study finds no evidence to suggest that a controversial antidote recommended by the World Health Organisation to treat patients poisoning.
Study finds no evidence to suggest that a controversial antidote recommended by the World Health Organisation to treat patients poisoning.
Malaria Control With Insecticide For Older Mosquitoes
Using insecticides-chemical or biological-to kill older mosquitoes may be a more sustainable way of controlling malaria, according to entomologists.
Using insecticides-chemical or biological-to kill older mosquitoes may be a more sustainable way of controlling malaria, according to entomologists.
