Response of Aedes aegypti (L.) Larvae to Seed-Derived Essential Oil and SeedDerived Extract of Moringa oleifera (Lam.)

Abstract

Billions of people face severe problems throughout the world due to vector-borne diseases. Effective management of vectors can reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases. The present study was conducted to assess the efficiency of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) seed extract and seed essential oil against Aedes aegypti larvae. Log probit, regression, and ANOVA were carried out to find out the statistical significance. Probit analysis of mortality rates of crude extracts of seeds of Moringa oleifera showed LC50 and LC90 values as 56.53 ppm and 186.50 ppm and for essential oil it was 1414.34 ppm and 5423.48 ppm, respectively against 3rd instar larvae within 24 h of exposure. ANOVA indicated a significant relationship between exposure time and concentration of extracts in imposing mortality to the mosquito larvae. Since seed extract and essential oil were from natural origin so they are safe on non- targeted organisms. The outcomes of present study suggested that the extracts of Moringa oleifera was more effective against larvae than essential oil and can be further used as an eco-friendly mosquito larvicidal agent. The isolated compounds from this plant may also act as a potent larvicide and are worth further study.