The viscosity of mineral oils, in relation to their ability to inhibit the transmission of stylet-borne viruses
Abstract
Thirteen fractions were obtained by distillation of the mineral oil Bayol 50 (ESSO 2214) and these were tested for their ability to inhibit the transmission of potato virus Y to red pepper. The less viscous fractions < 8 cSt at 37°C (52 SUS) were shown to be less active, the more viscous fractions were more active than Bayol 50 with a viscosity of 8 cSt at 37°C. Sunoco 7E, a mineral oil with a viscosity of 14.2 cSt at 37°C (74 SUS) was shown to be significantly more active than Bayol 50. The difference in emulgator had no influence on these results. We, therefore, recommend to choose mineral oils with a viscosity of at least 12 cSt at 37°C (= 66 SUS) for future work on the inhibition of the transmission of stylet-borne viruses.