Elytrigia Repens Extracts Control Urban Mosquito Vectors with a Larvicidal Potential

Prakash D ^1*, Mohideen Abdulkader M ¹, Sakthivel D ¹, Manju I ¹, Sreenivasan K S ¹, Manikandan S ²

This study demonstrated larvicidal activity to prevent mosquito disease and its spread, which might be due to insecticidal phytocompounds in the extract.

Abstract

There is over 17% of global illnesses due to Vector-borne diseases and more than a million fatalities annually found as a significant public health challenge globally. Traditional methods of mosquito control are relied heavily on chemical insecticides, and led to ecological disruptions, pesticide resistance, and adverse effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, there is a persistent need for alternative and eco-friendly strategies mosquito control. Method: In this study, we investigated the efficacy of extracts from Eragrostis repens (E. repens) against the larvae of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Plant extracts were prepared using different solvents, and their phytochemical profiles were analyzed. The larvicidal activity of these extracts was evaluated through susceptibility tests over a 24-hour period. Results: Methanol extracts exhibited significant larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus, with LC50 values ranging from 43,173 ppm to 58,234 ppm. GC-MS analysis identified 11 bioactive compounds in methanol extracts, highlighting their potential insecticidal activity. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that E. repens holds promise as a natural larvicide against mosquito vectors. The study highlights the importance of exploring botanical alternatives for mosquito control, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to combatting mosquito-borne diseases.

Keywords: Elytrigia repens, phytochemical screening, Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus.

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