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Published on: February 13, 2019
Synergistic potency and GC-MS analysis of Persea americana extracts against Aedes aegypti
Eze E Ajaegbu1, Gloria T Onah2, Adeniran J Ikuesan3
1Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. ajaegbuee@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Mosquitoes are carriers of infectious diseases due to the presence of disease-transmitting vehicles such as parasites and vectors, causing severe health-related consequences to other millions of people yearly. The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of utilizing Persea americana plant extracts in the management of mosquitoes and establishing eco-friendly methods of eradicating the vector. Methanol, ethanol, hexane, and acetone extracts of the leaves of Persea americana were prepared and examined for their insecticidal potency on the fourth instar larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. All the extracts of the plants observed after 24 exposure hours showed significant larvicidal effects. More importantly, the LC50 of the ethanol, methanol and hexane extracts of P. americana were 14.606, 22.548 and 146.157 ppm, respectively. The combined synergistic insecticidal activity for the ethanol and methanol extract was found to be 15.181 ppm, while ethanol and hexane gave the LC50 of 22.548 ppm, and the ethanol and acetone extract had the LC50 of 54.606 ppm. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in some of the extracts. GC-MS identified the plant contains fatty acids, heterocyclic compounds, and esters responsible for larvicidal action. The plant could be considered an economically and eco-friendly control in curbing the spread of some mosquito diseases.
Insights
Persea americana leaf extracts demonstrate significant larvicidal effects against Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. This research highlights the plant
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Environmental Science
- Ethnobotany
Background:
- Mosquitoes transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever, posing a global health threat.
- Current vector control methods face challenges with resistance and environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Persea americana leaf extracts against Aedes aegypti.
- To explore eco-friendly mosquito management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Leaf extracts of Persea americana were prepared using methanol, ethanol, hexane, and acetone.
- Larvicidal activity was tested on fourth instar Aedes aegypti larvae.
- Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- All tested extracts exhibited significant larvicidal effects after 24 hours.
- Ethanol, methanol, and hexane extracts showed LC50 values of 14.606, 22.548, and 146.157 ppm, respectively.
- Synergistic effects were observed with combined extracts, with LC50 values as low as 15.181 ppm.
Conclusions:
- Persea americana possesses potent larvicidal compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins.
- The plant offers a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach to mosquito control.
- Further research into specific active compounds could lead to novel vector control agents.
