The potency of carica (Carica pubescens Lenne & K. Koch) seed extract as repellent agent against mosquito vector of dengue (Aedes aegypti Linn.)

Abstract

The spread of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in some countries around the world is related to the presence of its primary vector, Aedes aegypti. Prevention is generally carried out with the use of chemical insecticides but due to its negative impact, research in bio-insecticides needs to be done. One is in the form of mosquito repellent. This study aimed to determine the percentage repellency from carica (Carica pubescens) seed extract from the value of ED50 and ED99 as a repellent against Ae. aegypti and to identify the content of the compounds by using GC-MS analysis. Carica seed was collected from Dieng Plateu, Wonosobo District, Indonesia. Carica seed extract was made using maceration method with methanol solvents. The doses of extract given to the volunteer’s arm were 0.3, 1, 1.67, 2.33, and 3 mg/cm2, according to the standard set by WHO. Data were processed using IBM SPSS 23 application with a 95% confidence value. The result showed that carica seed extracts have percentage repellency with 48 ± 0.24, 51 ± 0.34%, 60 ± 0.16%, 68 ± 0.21%, respectively, from the smallest dose given. Statistically, there were no significant differences between all doses tested. Carica seed extract had an ED50 value of 5.241 mg/cm2 and ED99 value of 99.042 mg/cm2. The GC-MS test results showed that carica seed extract predominantly contained oleic acid and palmitic acid which were suspected to act as repellent agents against Ae. aegypti, and some other important compounds.