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Names | |
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Other names
4′′-Deoxy-4′′-epi-methylamino-avermectin B1; Epi-methylamino-4′′-deoxy-avermectin; MK 243; EMA; GWN 1972
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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RTECS number | CL1203005 |
UNII | |
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Properties | |
C49H75NO13 | |
Molar mass | 886.13 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | White or faintly yellow powder |
Melting point | 141 to 146 °C (286 to 295 °F; 414 to 419 K) |
30-50 ppm (pH 7) | |
Pharmacology | |
QP54AA06 (WHO) | |
Hazards | |
R-phrases (outdated) | R25 R36 R50 R57 R58 |
S-phrases (outdated) | S26 S36 S45 S60 S61 |
NFPA 704 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references | |
Emamectin is the 4”-deoxy-4”-methylamino derivative of abamectin, a 16-membered macrocyclic lactone produced by the fermentation of the soil actinomycete Streptomyces avermitilis. It is generally prepared as the salt with benzoic acid, emamectin benzoate, which is a white or faintly yellow powder. Emamectin is widely used in the US and Canada as an insecticide because of its chloride channel activation properties.
Emamectin, produced by the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis, belongs to the avermectin family of compounds all of which exhibit toxicity for nematodes, arthropods, and several other pests. The benzoate salt of emamectin in particular has found widespread use as an insecticide and is approved by the EPA for use in prevention of emerald ash borer in ash trees. Emamectin is derived from avermectin B1, also known as abamectin, a mixture of the natural avermectin B1a and B1b. Emamectin has also shown promising applications in the eradication of fish lice and in fish farming. Emamectin was invented by Regina D. Leseota, Pradip K. Mookerjee, John Misselbrook, and Robert F. Peterson Jr. and patented on September 25, 2001, approved August 22, 2002. It was developed as a pesticide by Merck and Company and first marketed back 1997 in Israel and Japan.
Emamectin is derived from abamectin by replacement of an epi-amino-methyl (NHCH3) group by a hydroxyl (-OH) group at the 4”-position. Emamectin, like abamectin, is a mixture of two homologue compounds termed B1a and B1b which differ on the C-25 side-chain by one methylene (CH2) group. B1a contains a sec-butyl group while B1b has an isopropyl group. Emamectin is a mixture, typically consisting of 10% B1b and 90% B1a.
Avermectin biosynthesis is classified into three stages: the formation of the polyketide-derived initial aglycone, modification of the initial aglycone to produce avermectin aglycones, and glycosylation of avermectin aglycones to generate avermectins.
Emamectin is widely used in controlling lepidopterous pests (order of insects that as larvae are caterpillars and as adults have four broad wings including butterflies, moths, and skippers) in agricultural products in the US, Japan, Canada, and recently Taiwan. The low-application rate of the active ingredient needed (~6 g/acre) and broad-spectrum applicability as an insecticide has gained emamectin significant popularity among farmers.