LARVICIDAL EFFICACY OF ETHANOIC EXTRACT OF LEAF AND BARK OF CHRYSOPHYLLUM ALBIDUM AGAINST CULEX SPECIES

ABSTRACT

Botanical insecticides may serve as suitable alternatives to synthetics in future, as they are relatively safe and readily available in many parts of the world. This study investigated the efficacy of Chrysophyllum albidum extracts (Leaf and Bark stem) on Culex species larvae. The extracts were tested on laboratory bred Culex sp. larvae at different concentrations (500, 750 and 1000ppm) at 24, 48 and 72 hrs. Data was analyzed statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Increasing mortalities was observed with increase in concentration and time of exposure. Highest mortalities of Chrysophyllum albidum bark per exposure time were observed in larvae exposed to highest test concentration of 1000 ppm (24 h = 3.3%; 48 h = 10.0%; 72 h = 13%). Highest mortalities of C. albidum leaf per exposure time were observed in larvae exposed to highest test concentration of 1000 ppm (24 h = 10%; 48 h = 16.7 %; 72 h = 23.3%). LC50 and LC90 values at 72 hrs were 6332.262 ppm and 58278.321 ppm respectively for Chrysophyllum albidum bark, 4672.394 ppm and 46866.555 for the leaf and 4265.617ppm and 42292.050 for both the leaf and bark. The phytochemicals screening of ethanoic extract of Chrysophyllum albidum from both the leaves and bark revealed the presence of carbohydrate, saponins, tannins, phenol, steroid and alkaloids in Chrysophyllum albidum and the absence of phenol in leaves. The findings of the present investigation revealed that the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum showed larvicidal activity against Culex sp. Chemicals derived from plants offer promise in future mosquito control programs.