Optimization of acetic acid – infused insecticide from avocado (persea americana) seed extract using microwave – assisted extraction method

Abstract

Abstract Insecticides are widely used in households to control and manage pest populations. Biological insecticides are a more sustainable alternative, but they are often less effective. This study evaluated the effectiveness of avocado seed oil extract with added acetic acid as a bio-insecticide against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The researchers used microwave-assisted extraction to obtain the avocado seed oil. Avocado oil and acetic acid were formulated in different volume concentrations: 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% (v/v) avocado seed oil extract-infused acetic acid. Assessment of its effectiveness is performed by directly spraying it on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a 70x70x70 cm glass cylinder setup and conducting knockdown and mortality tests. The avocado seed oil insecticide showed significant knockdown effectiveness (p= 2.07E-7, α= 0.95) against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes compared to both the positive control (Neem Oil) and negative control (acetic acid). At 1 mL application, all the concentrations have significant differences (p= 0.0044, α= 0.95). The 50% and 90% concentration show the highest efficacy, showing no significant difference (p-value= 0.0527, α= 0.95), the % Knockdown is 25.00% and 20.00%, respectively, while 30% is the lowest at 13.33% within 60 minutes. However, none of the test samples reached 50% knockdown in 60 minutes. At a 3 mL rate, all concentrations resulted in 100% mortality, and the 50% concentration was the fastest in 6 minutes but had no significant difference (p= 0.9746, α= 0.95) with 90% concentration at 10 minutes. All concentrations yield higher efficacy compared to the positive control in both 1 mL and 3 mL rates. In the 1 mL and 3 mL tests, there were no recorded instances of mortality in the pure acetic acid sample. Based on the results, the optimum product among all the formulated concentrations is 50% (v/v) avocado seed oil extract-infused acetic acid having a significant difference (p=2.83E-13, α= 0.95).