Generation of superoxide anion radical by alpha-terthienyl in the anal gills of mosquito larvae Aedes aegypti: a new aspect in alpha-terthienyl phototoxicity.

The present study documents that the secondary plant metabolites, especially alpha-terthienyl, exert phototoxic action through inhibition of certain enzymes and generation of singlet oxygen. Some of the reports have emerged exhibiting involvement of free radical generation in vitro by alpha-terthienyl. We provide evidence for the generation of a free radical viz., superoxide anion radical, by alpha-terthienyl employing spin-trapping techniques, probably due to the extension of the latter reaction. On the basis of this observation the phototoxic action of alpha-terthienyl on Aedes aegypti larvae is explained.