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Planta Med 1982; 44(3): 175-177
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971434
Research Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart

Anacardic Acid: Molluscicide in Cashew Nut Shell Liquid

John T. Sullivan1,*, Charles S. Richards1,**, Helen A. Lloyd2 , Gopal Krishna3
  • 1Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.
  • 2Laboratory of Chemistry, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.
  • 3Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.
Deticated to Dr. Emilio Trabucchi on occasion of his 80th birthday* Marine Biomedical Research Program and Department of Anatomy (Cell Biology), Medical University of South Carolina, P. O. Box 12559 (Fort Johnson), Charleston, S. C. 29412.** Biomedical Research Institute, 12111 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20852.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The components of anacardic acid, (a mixture of 6-n-C15 alkylsalicylic acids whose side chains vary in degrees of unsaturation) have been isolated by high pressure liquid chromatography from a crude extract of cashew nut shell, Anacardium occidentale, and tested for toxicity to fresh water snails, Biomphalaria glabrata. The triene component is the most toxic form (LC50 0.35 ppm), the diene and monoene components are less toxic (LC50 0.9 and 1.4 ppm), and the saturated component is relatively nontoxic (LC50 > 5 ppm). Since decarboxylated anacardic acid (cardanol) and salicylic acid do not kill snails at concentrations up to 5 ppm, it appears that both, carboxyl group and unsaturated side chain are absolutely required for molluscicidal activity. The mechanism of toxicity of anacardic acid to snails is unknown.

Key Word Index

Anacardium occidentale - Anacardiaceae - Anacardic acid - Molluscicide - Cashew nut shell liquid - Salicylic acid - Cardanol - Schistosomiasis

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