Study of the larvicide activity and toxicity of <em>Humulus lupulus</em> extract and beer hop residue , part 1: larvicide activity in <em>Aedes aegypti</em>

Abstract

Dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika are diseases caused by the species Aedes aegypti belonging to the Culicidae family, also popularly known as the dengue mosquito and which are of great importance due to their impact on the world and in particular in Brazil, which presents annual epidemics. Over the years, ways to eliminate the vector have been sought, in order to prevent its dissemination, but these ended up causing several problems over the years, such as environmental pollution and resistance due to the incorrect use of chemical and biological insecticides. There is an evident need for other substances that have insecticidal characteristics, but that do not harm biodiversity. Due to this, insecticidal effects of the extract of Humulus lupulus and its main components, such as xanthohumol, obtained through dilution in ethyl and methanolic acetate and the beer residue extracted through methanol were investigated as potential larvicides against the mosquito Ae. aegypti. The evaluation of larvicidal effect against Ae. aegypti was made here at concentrations 1.0 mg/mL, 0.8 mg/mL, 0.6 mg/mL, 0.4 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL and evaluated for during 24 hours after the beginning of the experiment. Regarding the extract obtained from beer residue diluted in methanol and ethyl acetate, it was observed that there was no relevant mortality in Ae. aegypti. The methanol and ethyl acetate extract of H. lupulus and the beer residue showing larvicidal activity against the species Ae. aegypti. In the second part of this communication we are going to evaluate the environmental safety/toxicity.