Larvicidal Activity of Brusatol Isolated from Brucea javanica (L) Merr on Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

Vector control is still emphasized on the using of chemical insecticide which can cause death of non-target organisms, pollution and vector resistance. Therefore, natural insecticides/larvicides are an alternative to using chemical insecticides to control the mosquito vector. Brusatol was isolated from the seeds of Makassar Fruit (Brucea javanica L. Merr). Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were divided into 3 groups, i.e. 6 testing groups and one negative and positive control group. In the negative control group, the larvae were treated with 100 ml aquadest and positive control was treated with temephos 1 ppm. After 24 hours, dead larvae were calculated and the percentage of death was determined. The dead larvae were then examined for morphological changes using a light microscope. The higher of the concentration level of brusatol, the higher number of the death of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae (P<0.05). The value of brusatol Lethal Concentration 50 to larvae Cx. quinquefasciatus was 0.010 ± 0.122 and value of brusatol Lethal Concentration 90 to larvae Cx. quinquefasciatus was 0.654 ± 0.081 ppm. The higher the concentration of brusatol, the morphological damage of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae was getting worse and widespread to cause damage to the digestive tract and cuticle. Brusatol isolated from the seed of B. javanica (L) Merr have larvicidal activity to the Cx. quinquefasciatus which is potential to be natural larvicide.