ABSTRACT
Nicotiana tabacum Linnaeus is a plant of economic importance, raised commercially throughout the world. Chemically, there is the presence of pyrimidine alkaloids, such as anabasina and nicotine, along with steroids, coumarins and terpenes. The present study was aimed to measure the concentration of the aqueous extract of tobacco that will kill approximately 50% of the population of bioindicator Drosophila melanogaster Morgan in 24 hours (LC50). A total of 689 individuals from the wild strain of D. melanogaster were exposed to the tobacco aqueous extract at concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Mortality of individuals was recorded at 24h and 48h after exposure to the extract. The results showed that the aqueous extract of N. tabacum promoted death of individuals at all concentrations tested. In 24 hours, the 10% solution killed 50% of the flies. There was a correlation between increased solution concentration and increased mortality. These results underscore the relevance of research on tobacco, due to its toxic properties and its being consumed by millions of people around the world, along with the use of D. melanogaster as an efficient bioindicator organism due to its easy maintenance and large number of individuals.
KEY WORDS
LC50,;
Nicotiana tabacum
; insecticide;
Drosophila melanogaster
; bioindicator