The molluscicidal properties of natural products from Ambrosia maritima

The molluscicidal properties of Damsin "I", Ambrosin "II", and tribromodamsin "III" were investigated against the intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus. Although Damsin was to some extent more toxic against B. alexandrina than the other two compounds, it was less toxic than them against B. truncatus after 24 hr exposure periods. There is a flex relationship between concentration of Damsin and exposure period to prodce 100% mortality. The molluscicidal potency of Damsin remained stable over a wide range of pH values, but was affected by storage, sunlight and river bed-mud. Structure-activity relationship is included.