Characterization and evaluation of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) oil as larvicidal and repellent against the yellow fever mosquito

Abstract

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is one of the leading health problems in Indonesia and other countries. However, a study on sweet basil oil and its potency to control Aedes aegypti, or Yellow fever mosquito (YFM), as the vector of DHF, is rarely investigated. This research aims to study the chemical characteristics of sweet basil oil and evaluate its potency as insecticides against Aedes aegypti. A spectrophotometer gas chromatography to identify its compounds followed by the standardized toxicity and repellency test methods were conducted. The results showed that the main compounds of sweet basil oil are linalool (31,78 %), thymol (11,60%), and cineol (0,99%). The sweet basil oil showed high toxicity for the larvae of Aedes aegypti with LC50 and LC90 were 72,08 ppm and 121,47 ppm. The protection effect of sweet basil oil increases following the oil concentration. However, at 30 % concentration, this essential oil could protect from Aedes aegypti up to six hours with repellency levels of 81,3 %. Therefore, this study supports the effective and environmentally friendly method of managing the YFM using sweet basil oil.