ABSTRACT

Natural insecticides now-a-days have a bright future because synthetic insectides are harmful to human beings. Among botanical pesticides, the rotenoids standout for their potency and effectiveness against many crop pests and are fifteen times more toxic than the nicotinic acid. Cajanus cajan primarily grown as a grain crop for human consumption (pulse, vegetable) and has not been analysed for it’s rotenoidal content. Chromatographic analysis showed the presence of four rotenoids namely elliptone, deguelin, rotenone and tephrosin, which were identified by co-tlc, melting point, GLC and IR spectral studies with that of the standard reference compounds. In the present investigation, rotenone (0.37 mg/gdw) was found in maximum quantity which was followed by deguelin (0.27 mg/gdw), tephrosin (0.21 mg/gdw) and elliptone (0.15 mg/gdw).