Molluscicidal Activity of Piper anisum Volatile Oil and of its Major Chemical Marker, 1-Butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene

Schistosomiasis, a disease endemic to Brazil, is caused by the trematode Schistosoma mansoni , which uses Biomphalaria glabrata snails as hosts. The search for new environmentally acceptable agents for B. glabrata control is a research priority. This study explores the molluscicidal activity of Piper anisum (Spreng.) Angely, Piperaceae, volatile oil and its major constituent against B. glabrata snails. The study considers the seasonal variability of the volatile oil from leaves harvested in different seasons and extracted by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and with a flame ionization detector, allowing the identification and quantification of its constituents. The major compound of the essential oil, 1-butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene, was isolated from leaves hexane extract. Molluscicidal activity was assessed by exposing snails to increasing concentrations of the volatile oil and butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene, with the lethal concentration (LC 50 ) being calculated. Seasonal variations influenced the chemical composition, with butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene constituting over 99% in samples collected in summer time. All volatile oil samples exhibited molluscicidal activity against B. glabrata at 100 µg/ml. The LC 50 for butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene was identified as ~ 918 µM, indicating potential as an alternative biocontrol agent. However, further experiments are necessary to fully endorse butyl-3,4-methylenedioxybenzene as a viable alternative for biocontrol, given the complexity of ecological impacts and long-term effectiveness. Graphical Abstract