Larvicidal and repellent activity of the essential oil from Atalantia monophylla on three mosquito vectors of public health importance, with limited impact on non-target zebra fish

Abstract

The development of eco-friendly mosquito control tools is of key importance for public health worldwide. In the present study, the essential oil [EO] from Atalantia monophylla essential oil was tested for larvicidal and repellent activity against three species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. The EO showed acute toxicity against 2nd and 4th instar larvae of the tested mosquitoes, Notably, LC50 ranged from 7 to 16 ppm. EO tested as repellent at 50 ppm protected for 336–366 min against three mosquito species. Different concentrations of EO showed mortality in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the LC50 value was 69.59 ppm. The EO did not show any allergic reaction on tested volunteers upto 50 ppm. While pure EO was tested slight itching was observed on the 2nd and 3rd volunteer. GC-MS analysis of A. monophylla EO showed the presence of 40 phytochemicals in different ratios, among them eugenol, sabinene, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-methoxyethenyl)benzene and beta-asarone are major compounds. Overall, the EO showed high larvicidal and repellent activity against three mosquito vectors with limited impact on non-target zebrafish. Therefore, EO from A. monophylla could be a valuable source for the development of mosquito repellents and larvicides.