Morocco is a significant botanical reservoir that boasts a wealth of raw materials with promising applications across various industrial sectors, notably in pharmaceuticals and food. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of essential oils (EOs) derived from Laurus nobilis L. leaves originating from the Tanger (EOT) and Meknes (EOM) regions in combating Callosobruchus maculatus infection. The chemical compositions of these oils were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biological activity of the EOs was evaluated via repulsion and fumigation tests against C. maculatus at varying concentrations. FTIR analysis revealed distinct vibrational bands indicative of various chemical compounds. GC-MS analysis was used to delineate the major chemical constituents of the EOs. The three predominant compounds in the EOT were 1,8-cineole (37.64%), linalool (16.40%), and adamantane (12.00%), whereas 1,8-cineole (47.84%), toluene (17.60%), and α-phellandrene (8.44%) were the most abundant in the EOM. Notably, the EOs exhibited significant repellent activity against C. maculatus, with repulsion percentages ranging from 51.11 to 90.00% in Tanger and 67.78 to 93.33% in Meknes. Mortality rates varied from 0 to 100% depending on the treatment. However, the mean concentrations showed mortality rates ranging from 29.44 to 65.56% for the EOT and from 21.11 to 67.78% for the EOM, with LD50 values of 11.96 μL/L and 5.22 μL/L. Docking studies revealed that 1,8-cineole had the highest binding affinity for the active site of acetylcholinesterase, thus confirming its toxic activity against C. maculatus. The findings of this study highlight the ability of EOs extracted from L. nobilis in the Moroccan regions of Tanger and Meknes to act as effective insecticides and repellents against C. maculatus, thereby highlighting avenues for further exploration of pest management and agricultural practices.

The protection of stored products in Morocco still relies heavily on synthetic insecticides, posing risks to human health and the environment and contributing to the emergence of resistance to these chemicals. This study explored the insecticidal potential of vegetable oils extracted from the seeds of three Cannabis sativa L. varieties (Beldia (Bld), Kherdala (Krd) and Critical (Crt) against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) , a major pest of stored grains. The chemical composition of the oils was characterised using FTIR and GC-MS, revealing a predominance of fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (38.97-50.11 %) and oleic acid (10.82–27.26 %). Biological tests showed significant insecticidal activity by contact, with cumulative mortality dependent on dose and exposure time. The Krd variety exhibited the highest toxicity (LD50 = 3.75 mL kg-1), followed by Bld (5.61 mL kg-1) and Crt (7.39 mL kg-1). Furthermore, oils from the Bld and Crt varieties demonstrated strong repellent properties, reaching 91.67 % and 68 %, respectively, at 0.63 µL/cm², while Krd showed weak repellency. Molecular docking analyses suggest that certain major fatty acids, particularly linoleic and oleic acids, interact strongly with acetylcholinesterase, a classic target enzyme for insecticides, reinforcing the hypothesis of their active role in the observed insecticidal effects. These results highlight the potential of C. sativa seed oils as effective and safe bioinsecticides, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides for the post-harvest protection of cereals in Morocco.