Electric Blender Research Articles

Material Processing of Bamboo for Use as a Gas Diffusion Layer in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The material processing procedure of bamboo was investigated for use as a gas diffusion layer (GDL) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Bamboo fibers were obtained from bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis, moso bamboo) through mechanical treatment, delignification in NaOH solution at 120 °C, and subsequent defibration using an electric blender. The fibers contained cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin as 70, 20, and 10 wt %, respectively. The fibers were molded into bamboo fiber sheets (BFS) and were subjected to carbonization to give carbonized bamboo fiber sheets (CBFS), in which the fibrous morphology remained. Both the in-plane and the through-plane electrical conductivities were measured after carbonization. For the first time, a single PEMFC operation test was demonstrated using CBFS as a GDL. As current GDLs are based on carbon fiber obtained from fossil fuel resources, the implementation of a plant-based method for GDL production would be beneficial in terms of CO2 reduction as well as sustainability.

Preparation of Carbonaceous Fiber Sheets Derived from Bamboo and Application to Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Carbonaceous sheets were obtained from phyllostachys (bamboo), and their potential for use as the gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was investigated. Fibers, which were mainly composed of cellulose, were obtained from phyllostachys via roll-pressing and chemical treatment in an autoclave with 0.1 mol dm-3 NaOH solution, followed by defibration by an electric blender. The fibers were molded into a sheet by a papermaking procedure. The fibrous morphology remained even after carbonization under an Ar atmosphere at 1000 - 3000oC. The electric conductivity increased as the carbonization temperature was raised up to 2500oC. A single PEMFC operation test was carried out by using the carbonaceous fiber sheet as the GDL. The maximum power was 140 mW cm-2, whereas it was 170 mW cm-2 for a conventional GDL composed of carbon fibers.

Actividad anti-Toxoplasma de extractos metanólicos de frutos y hojas de Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae)

<p><em>Toxoplasma gondii </em>is an obligatory intracellular parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans. Considering the severity of toxoplasmosis, side effects of current treatments, and the contribution of the ethnopharmacological knowledge for the treatment of parasitic infections, the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of methanolic extracts from the fruits and leaves of <em>Sambucus nigra </em>against tachyzoite of <em>T. gondii</em>. For this, fruits and leaves of <em>S. nigra </em>were collected from Mazandaran province, Iran, were dried under the shade, and powdered using a commercial electrical blender. For extractions, methanol was used as solvent. Virulent RH strain of <em>T. gondii</em> was maintained in mice and macrophages containing tachyzoites were aspirated from the peritoneal cavity. Four concentrations (5, 10, 25 and 50mg/mL) of <em>S. nigra </em>extract were incubated with infected macrophages for 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes and the viability of the tachyzoites were evaluated by trypan blue staining. Results showed that <em>S. nigra </em>fruit extracts at the concentrations of 5 and 10mg/mL killed 100% of <em>T. gondii</em> tachyzoites after 60 and 120 minutes, respectively; and concentrations of 25 and 50mg/mL killed 100% of the tachyzoites after 30 minutes. Additionally, extract of <em>S. nigra</em> leaves, at the concentrations of 5, 10 and 25mg/mLafter 180 minutes, and concentration of 50mg/mLafter 60 minutes, resulted with the highest efficacy. Our results showed that <em>S. nigra</em> has acceptable efficacy <em>in vitro</em> and the parasiticidal effect of fruit extract was significantly better than leaf extract. However, <em>in vivo</em> efficacy of this extract needs further investigation.</p>

Evaluation of the Male and Female Sex Steroid Hormones Residues in Eggs , Milk and Their Productsin Alqassim Region

The residues of the sex steroid hormones were determined in the milk, eggs and their products. Sixty five samples of eggs (Baladi and Pure Breeds), milk (liquid, powder and condensed), cheese (soft, semi-soft and hard), ice cream, chocolates, butter (local and imported) and yoghurt were used in addition to 97 processed samples were used in this study. Five grams of each sample was taken out after homogenizing the sample in an electric blender, mixed with 10 ml hexane in a conical flask (100 ml) and incubated under shaking in a shaking water bath for 2 hours (30oC). The sample was poured off into a clean centrifuge tube and centrifuged (3000 rpm/15 minutes, 5°C). The supernatant was aspirated and poured into a clean labeled glass tube. The steroid extract was then exposed to a weak stream of nitrogen gas while samples were incubated on a warm (25oC) metal block until the whole liquid was evaporated. The precipitate was reconstituted in 5 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.2). Hormone determinations of progesterone (P4), estradiol17 (E2), testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A2) were conducted by commercial ELISA kits. Results exhibited that the highest residues of the four hormones were detected in fresh eggs followed by milk due to the condensed and powder milk, then cheeses. However, the lowest levels of the four hormones existed in yoghurt. Butter, sweets, ice creams and bakeries contained intermediate levels of the four hormones. Also, baladi eggs contained less residues of the four hormones than in white eggs. Also imported food products (i.e. milk, butter, cheese) contained higher residues of the four hormones than their local counterparts.Despite the detection of some residues of the four sex steroid hormones in the food products studied, these levels still far below the maximum allowable levels approved by WHO guidelines in this respect. In conclusion, the consumers especially the children and adolescents must not exceed consuming more than 3 eggs per day and it is better to consume local fresh milk than the imported condensed milk to avoid the accumulation of such hormone residues in their bodies which might affect their future sex life. Keywords: Testosterone, progesterone, estradiol 17, androstenedione, eggs, milk products

Preparation of Carbonaceous Fiber Sheets Derived from Bamboo and Application to Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Bamboo is one of sustainable natural resources with high CO2 immobilization capacity; on the other hand, its relatively high vitality induces several environmental serious problems recently. To solve the problems, new and some favorable applications of bamboo are widely being developed and investigated. To utilize the feature of bamboo is very important for the application development. The microstructure of bamboo is fibrous and is composed mainly of cellulose, giving us a cellulose fiber easily. Moreover, its fibrous morphology was even kept after carbonization at relatively high temperature. We then attempted to prepare the carbonaceous fiber sheet by using bamboo as a starting material and employ it as gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) [1].In this presentation, the detail regarding to preparation procedure of bamboo fiber, its carbonization and typical character is demonstrated.Bamboo was cut down to 80 mm in length by a metallic chopper and the inner and outer skins were carefully descaled by specially developed cutting machine (Silver-loy Co. Ltd., Japan). Then, it was pressed repeatedly by specially developed roll press machine (Silver-loy Co. Ltd., Japan) to form several breaches. Thus obtained bamboo strips were employed for further study. The specimens were boiled in 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide aqueous solution for 3 h by using commercially available electric pot (Panasonic, SR-P37). After that, the samples were washed repeatedly by water and treated by an electric blender at 37000 rpm for 1 min for defiberize. Thus obtained bamboo mono filaments were molded and treated at various temperatures under argon atmosphere to obtain carbonaceous fiber sheets.The size and morphology of the fibers in the sheets were investigated by an optical microscope (OM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the carbonization degree. The electrochemical behavior of carbonaceous fiber sheets was investigated in 0.1 mol dm-3 perchloric acid aqueous solution under nitrogen atmosphere by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, a gas diffusion electrode was fabricated by using carbonaceous fiber sheet as a gas diffusion layer and Pt/C catalyst. PEMFC operation test was carried out by using Nafion117 membrane as the electrolyte.Figure 1 shows FE-SEM image of carbonaceous bamboo fiber after heated at 3000ºC. The diameter of fiber was ca. 6 μm, which is similar to carbon fiber that used in the fuel cell.Figure 2 shows XRD patterns of carbonaceous bamboo fiber after heated at various temperatures. The peak corresponding to 002 diffraction of graphite was appeared and become to be sharpened with increasing in the heat treatment temperature.Both of the in-plane electrical conductivity, which is measured by a four-probe method, and that measured under consolidation condition is lower than that of the carbon paper composed by carbon fibers.Figure 3 shows the cyclic voltammograms of carbonaceous fiber sheets after the heat treatment at various temperatures. The double layer capacity was decreased as an increase in the heat treatment temperature, suggesting that carbonization developed at higher temperature whereas the surface area decreased. The results of PEMFC operation test will be mentioned in the presentation.Reference[1] T. Kinumoto et al., ECS Trans., accepted for publication at 2013.AcknowledgementThis study is supported by The Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (ERTDF) from Ministry of the Environment, JAPAN.

FREEZE-DRIED MANGO POWDER PROCESSING FOR NUTRACEUTICAL USE

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) locally called Ma Muang, is one of the important sources of plant-derived medicinal herbs with a whole range of nutritional and medicinal properties. Having high nutritional value with high range of polyphenols and specific enzyme contents, the ripe mango was shown to have high antioxidant and anti carcinogenic properties, making it a high potential candidate for nutraceutical use. Technology has already been developed in which freeze-dried mango powder retains the same quality as fresh ripe mango pulp. Freeze-dried mango processing by using ripe mango ‘Nam Dok Mai’ to meet the zero discharge criteria has been developed. The main objectives in this study were process development on freeze-dried mango powder and utilize waste from freeze-drying ripe mango that result in high productivity and low environmental impact. The designed production process has considered the wastes from freeze-dried mango pulp powder processing process, which are peels and seeds. These are freeze-dried mango pulp powder processing, mango peel extraction processing and mango seed kernel extraction processing. The freeze-dried mango pulp powder processing has been done on ripe mango pulp by peeling, cutting pulp into slices, pulp mashing using electrical blender, followed by freeze-drying to get freeze-dried mango powder for nutraceutical use. The mango peel extraction process was done by grinding the peel, followed by acetone extractionand used for cosmetics and functional foods. The mango seed kernel extraction process is by using alcohol extraction to get mango butter or mango seed oil for cosmetic use. This production process showed zero discharge by the end of the process. The clean production of freeze-dried mango powder was implemented by using Fruit Juice Pilot Plant, Industrial Park Center, KMUTT. The results showed high productivity and low environmental impact. The preliminary study on financial analysis showed high feasibility for commercial production.

Raised Iron Levels in Wet- ground Vigna unguiculata and Capsicum frutescens using Domestic Grinding Techniques

The biosafety of commonly used domestic grinding techniques was investigated; the effects of attrition mills using new (attrition mill 1) and old (attrition mill 2) plates, wooden mortar and pestle, grinding stone and electric blender on iron content of wet-ground staple foods, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Capsicum frutescens (pepper) were examined in this study. Attrition mill 1 was in use 4 weeks prior to this study while the attrition mill 2 had newly installed grinding plate. The wet-ground pepper and cowpea were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The iron contents of wet- ground foods (pepper and cowpea) from both attrition mills were significantly higher (p>0.05) than iron content of ground food using other methods of grinding. A 30-40 folds increases in the iron content of ground food samples were detected using attrition mills. Ground pepper from attrition mill 1 showed higher iron contents (4300±474.35mg) than pepper ground in attrition mill 2 (3199±281.68mg). These values are higher than recommended dietary allowances for iron intake. The increased iron content in ground pepper and cowpea observed in the present study confirmed the high risk of iron overloading using attrition milling. The level of contamination of ground food increased with use in attrition mills as a result of wear and tear of grinding plates. Key words : Attrition mill, iron contamination, staple food, dietary intake

Antimicrobial Qualities of Senna Alata

The antimicrobial activity of the root and leaf extracts of the Senna alata plant against some infectious bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa etc) and fungi (spergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans etc) as well as the physiochemical and microbiological quality of the plant was determined using the cup plate agar diffusion method. The freshly collected fresh mature leaves and roots were chopped into pieces and shade-dried at 32-35 0 C to constant weight for 5 days. 50g each of the plant parts was coarsely powdered using a mortar and pestle and finely powdered using an electric blender. Each of the powdered air-dried plant material was extracted with water, acetone and methanol. All the extracts demonstrated considerable activity against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and some fungi with the organic extracts showing higher activity than the aqueous extracts. Stretococus pyogenes and S. aureus were the most susceptible to all the extracts followed by Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. The most susceptible fungi were Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans while the least susceptible was Aspergillus flavus. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of the methanol extracts ranged between 3-10 mg/ml and 25-50 mg/ml for bacteria and fungi respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the extracts contained tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids and phenols. The results obtained show the basis for the local usage of S. alata Linn as an antimicrobial. Phytochemical result showed ethanol to be a better solvent for the extraction of the bioactive agents in Senna alata which include: glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and volatile oil. Despite the significant progress made in microbiology and the control of microorganisms, sporadic incidents of epidemics due to drug resistant microorganisms pose an enormous threat to public health. The use of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activities needs to be given more attention.

Mosquitocidal properties of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) (Family: Rubiaceae) leaf extract and Metarhizium anisopliae against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston. (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of the ethanolic extracts from Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia) plant and entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (M. anisopliae) against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). MethodsM. citrifolia leaves were collected in and around Alleppy districts, Kerala, India. M. citrifolia leaf was washed with tap water and shade dried at room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant leaves. A total of 500 g leaf powder was macerated with 1.5 L of ethanol sequentially for a period of 72 h and filtered. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator. The larvicidal and pupicidal activity was assayed at various concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 mg/L under the laboratory conditions. The LC50 and LC90 values of the M. citrifolia leaf extract and M. anisopliae fungi were determined by Probit analysis. ResultsThe plant extract showed larvicidal and pupicidal effects after 24 and 48 h of exposure; all larval instars and pupae have considerably moderate mortality; however, the highest larval and pupal mortality appeared in combined treatment at 24 and 48 h. The LC50 and LC90 values of M. citrifolia and M. anisopliae and their combined treatment against the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of the malaria vector were assessed. M. citrifolia had values of LC50=202.47, 95.75, 57.52, 18.30 and 97.78 mg/L; LC90=384.37, 482.91, 631.22, 757.55 and 944.96 mg/L at 48 h. M. anisopliae had values of LC50=1.40, 3.99, 5.56, 8.77 and 11.49%; LC90=13.84, 17.62, 22.20, 25.71 and 30.78% at 48 h; Combined treatment had values of LC50=3.71, 16.73, 29.71, 40.60 and 138.10 mg/L; LC90=122.29, 150.15, 156.90, 211.99 and 806.67 mg/L at 48 h, respectively. ConclusionsThe plant and the fungi are promising larvicidal and pupicidal agents against malaria vector, An. stephensi. This is a new eco-friendly approach for the control of vector. Therefore, this study provides first report on the combined treatment of this plant extract and fungi from India.

Integration of botanical and bacterial insecticide against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi

The present study evaluated the Orthosiphon thymiflorus leaf extract and the bacterial insecticide spinosad, testing the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of two important vector mosquitoes, viz., Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi. The fresh leaves of O. thymiflorus were washed thoroughly in tap water and shade-dried at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C) for 5 to 8 days. The air-dried materials were powdered separately using a commercial electrical blender. From the plants, 500 g powder was macerated with 1.5 L organic solvents of petroleum ether sequentially for a period of 72 h each and then filtered. The larval and pupal mortality was observed after 24 h of exposure; no mortality was observed in the control group. The first- to fourth-instar larvae and pupae of A. stephensi had values of LC(50) = 309.16, 337.58, 390.42, 429.68, and 513.34 ppm, and A. aegypti had values of LC(50) = 334.78, 366.45, 422.97, 467.94, and 54.02 ppm, respectively. Spinosad against the A. stephensi had values of LC(50) = 384.19, 433.39, 479.17, 519.79, and 572.63 ppm, and A. aegypti had values of LC(50) = 210.68, 241.20, 264.93, 283.27, and 305.85 ppm, respectively. Moreover, in combined treatment, the A. stephensi had values of LC(50) = 202.36, 224.76, 250.84, 288.05, and 324.05 ppm, and A. aegypti had values of LC(50) = 217.70, 246.04, 275.36, 315.29, and 353.80 ppm, respectively. Results showed that the leaf extract of O. thymiflorus and bacterial insecticide spinosad are promising as a good larvicidal and pupicidal against dengue vector, A. aegypti and malarial vector, A. stephensi. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of target species of vector control programs.

Mosquito larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activity of Artemisia nilagirica (Family: Compositae) against Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti

Mosquito-borne diseases have an economic impact, including loss in commercial and labor outputs, particularly in countries with tropical and subtropical climates; however, no part of the world is free from vector-borne diseases. The aim of the present study, to evaluate the larvicidal, pupicidal, repellent, and adulticidal activities of methanol crude extract of Artemisia nilagirica were assayed for their toxicity against two important vector mosquitoes, viz., Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). The fresh leaves of A. nilagirica were washed thoroughly in tap water and shade dried at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C) for 5-8 days. The air-dried materials were powdered separately using commercial electrical blender. From the plants, 500 g powdered was macerated with 1.5 L organic solvents of methanol sequentially for a period of 72 h each and filtered. The larval and pupal mortality was observed after 24 h of exposure; no mortality was observed in the control group. The first- to fourth-instar larvae and pupae of A. stephensi had values of LC(50) = 272.50, 311.40, 361.51, 442.51, and 477.23 ppm, and the LC(90) = 590.07, 688.81, 789.34, 901.59, and 959.30 ppm; the A. aegypti had values of LC(50) = 300.84, 338.79, 394.69, 470.74, and 542.11 ppm, and the LC(90) = 646.67, 726.07, 805.49, 892.01, and 991.29 ppm, respectively. The results of the repellent activity of plant extract of A. nilagirica plants at five different concentrations of 50, 150, 250, 350, and 450 ppm were applied on skin of fore arm in man and exposed against adult female mosquitoes. In this observation, the plant crude extract gave protection against mosquito bites without any allergic reaction to the test person, and also, the repellent activity is dependent on the strength of the plant extracts. The adult mortality was found in methanol extract of A. nilagirica, with the LC(50) and LC(90) values of 205.78 and 459.51 ppm for A. stephensi, and 242.52 and 523.73 ppm for A. aegypti, respectively. This result suggests that the leaf extract have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of vector mosquito as target species.

Mosquitocidal properties of Calotropis gigantea (Family: Asclepiadaceae) leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis, against the mosquito vectors

Calotropis gigantea leaf extract and Bacillus thuringiensis were tested first to fourth-instar larvae and pupae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The medicinal plants were collected from the area around Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. Calotropis gigantea leaf was washed with tap water and shade-dried at room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant materials (leaves). The powder 500 g of the leaf was extracted with 1.5 L of organic solvents of methanol for 8 h using a Soxhlet apparatus and filtered. The crude leaf extracts were evaporated to dryness in a rotary vacuum evaporator. The plant extract showed larvicidal and pupicidal effects after 24 h of exposure; no mortality was observed in the control group. For Calotropis gigantea, the median lethal concentration values (LC(50)) observed for the larvicidal and pupicidal activities against mosquito vector species Anopheles stephensi I to IV larval instars and pupae were 73.77, 89.64, 121.69, 155.49, and 213.79 ppm; Aedes aegypti values were 92.27, 106.60, 136.48, 164.01, and 202.56 ppm; and Culex quinquefasciatus values were 104.66, 127.71, 173.75, 251.65, and 314.70 ppm, respectively. For B. thuringiensis, the LC(50) values of I to IV larval instars and pupae of Anopheles stephensi were 37.24, 45.41, 57.82, 80.09, and 98.34 ppm; Aedes aegypti values were 42.38, 51.90, 71.02, 96.17, and 121.59 ppm; and Culex quinquefasciatus values were 55.85, 68.07, 94.11, 113.35, and 133.87 ppm, respectively. The study proved that the methanol leaf extract of Calotropis gigantea and bacterial insecticide B. thuringiensis has mosquitocidal property and was evaluated as target species of mosquito vectors. This is an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of vector control programs.

Evaluation of certain leaf extracts against red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acarina: Tetranychidae) infesting tea

Leaf extracts of some common plants such as Vitex negundo (Linn. & Paracetamol), Gliricidia maculata (HBK), Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck), Morinda tinctoria (Roxb) and Pongamia glabra (Vent) were evaluated for their acaricidal activity against the red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae, in the laboratory using the leaf disc method under controlled conditions. Leaves collected from the above mentioned plants were shade-dried followed by oven drying (at 60°C) and were milled in an electric blender. After this, the powder was taken for the preparation of the concentrations required for the various bioassays. Aqueous extracts were prepared and their effects on the mortality of adults and eggs and as oviposition deterrents were assessed after spraying and were compared with an untreated control. All tested plant extracts showed varying levels of effect on red spider mite compared with the untreated control. Among them, the aqueous extracts of M. tinctoria and P. glabra had maximum ovicidal action, ovipositional deterrence and 100% adult mortality.

Comparative Phytochemical screening and Physicochemical characterization of coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) oils from two different locations in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The phytochemical constituents and characterization of coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) oils obtained from coconut samples in two different locations in Kaduna State were investigated. The coconut shells were removed and the fleshy parts chopped into tiny pieces, dried at room temperature and milled into a paste using an electric blender. The oil was extracted using soxhlet extractor/apparatus. The phytochemical constituents were determined using standard methods. Physicochemical characterization was carried out to determine the saponification value, refractive index, specific gravity, peroxide value and acid value of the oil. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that alkaloid, carbohydrate, saponins, glycosides were present in the sample obtained from Romi New Extension junction (sample 4), while flavonoids, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. For the sample obtained from Mando Market, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrate, saponin, glycosides were present while tannins, anthraquinones, resins and cardiac glycosides were absent. Similarly, the results of the characterization revealed the following values for the two different samples, respectively: saponification value (263+ 1.05, 260+ 0.01), refractive index (1.47+ 0.01, 1.478+0.002), acid value (1.00+, 1.30+0.5), specific gravity (0.84+ 0.04, 0.86+0.07) and peroxide value (4.1+ 0.41, 3.7+0.57). Keywords : Cocos nucifera , phytochemical properties, physic-chemical characterization Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 9 No. 3 (2012)

Evaluation of larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) (Family: Rubiaceae) against three mosquito vectors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity against three important medically mosquito vector such as malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi), dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus). MethodsMorinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia) leaf was collected in and around Alleppy districts, Kerala, India. M. citrifolia leaf was washed with tap water and shade dried at room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant materials (leaves). From the leaf, 1 kg powdered was macerated with 3.0 L of methanol sequentially for a period 72 h and filtered. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator. The larvicidal and pupicidal activity was assayed at various concentrations ranging from (100–500 ppm) under the laboratory as well as field conditions. The LC50and LC90value of the M. citrifolia leaf extract was determined by Probit analysis. ResultsThe plant extract showed larvicidal and pupicidal effects after 24 and 48 hrs of exposure; All larval instars and pupae have considerably moderate mortality; however, the highest larval and pupal mortality was methanolic extract of M. citrifolia observed in three mosquito vectors at 48 h. The LC50and LC90of M. citrifolia against the first to fourth instar larvae and pupae against mosquito vectors. An. stephensi had values of LC50=146.08, 159.07, 172.16, 185.08 and 202.68 ppm and LC90=322.12, 363.48, 388.56, 436.51 and 513.56 ppm, respectively. The Ae. aegypti had values of LC50=181.27, 210.40, 229.80, 256.73 and 292.01 ppm and LC90=407.99, 485.65, 534.14, 624.16 and 756.79 ppm, respectively. The Cx. quinquefasciatus had values of LC50=226.70, 256.97, 290.05, 316.33 and 358.11 ppm and LC90=560.35, 652.07, 733.03, 797.09 and 875.25 ppm, respectively at 24 h. ConclusionsThe results of the leaf extract of M. citrifolia are promising as good larvicidal and pupicidal activity against the mosquito vector, An. stephensi, Ae. aegypti, Cx. quinquefasciatus. This is a new eco-friendly approach for the control of vector control programs. Therefore, this study provides first report on the larvicidal and pupicidal activities against three species of mosquito vectors of this plant extract from India.

Antimalarial activity of Carica papaya (Family: Caricaceae) leaf extract against Plasmodium falciparum

ObjectiveTo determine the antimalarial activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Carica papaya (C. papaya), blood stages of CQ-sensitive and CQ resistant strains against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) as target species. MethodsC. papaya leaf was collected in and around Kalveerampalyam village, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. C. papaya leaf was washed with tap water and shade dried at room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant materials (leaves). The powder 500g of the leaf was extracted with 1.5 L of organic solvents of ethanol for 8 h using a Soxhlet apparatus. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator. One gram of the plant residue was dissolved in 100 mL of acetone (stock solution) and considered as 1% stock solution. From this stock solution, different concentrations were prepared ranging from 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%, respectively. ResultsThe highest larval mortality in the ethanol leaf extract of C. papaya against the 1st to 4th instars larvae and pupae values of LC50= 3.65%, 4.28%, 5.41%, 6.70%, and 7.50%, respectively. The LC90values of 9.61%, 11.75%, 13.53%, 16.36%, and 16.92%, respectively. Plant extracts showed moderate to good antiparasitic effects. These four concentrations (25, 50,100 and 150 μg/mL) of ethanol leaf extracts exhibited promising inhibitory activity against the CQ sensitive strain with (IC50) values 40.75%, 36.54%, 25.30%, and 18.0% and in CQ resistant 50.23%, 32.50%, 21.45%, and 23.12% against P. falciparum. ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results indicate the effective plant extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approaches for the control of vector mosquitoes.

Laboratory and field evaluation of medicinal plant extracts against filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).

The present study explored the effects of Jatropha curcas, Hyptis suaveolens, Abutilon indicum, and Leucas aspera tested against third instar larvae of filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. The dried plant materials were powdered by an electrical blender. From each sample, 500 g powder was macerated with 1.5 L of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol 8h, using Soxhlet apparatus, and filtered. The extracts were concentrated at reduced temperature on a rotary evaporator and stored at a temperature of 4°C. The yield of crude extract was 11.4, 12.2, 10.6, and 13.5 g in hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol, respectively. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol extract of J. curcas with LC(50) values of 230.32, 212.85, 192.07, and 113.23 ppm; H. suaveolens with LC(50) values of 213.09, 217.64, 167.59, and 86.93 ppm; A. indicum with LC(50) values of 204.18, 155.53, 166.32, and 111.58 ppm; and L. aspera with LC(50) values of 152.18, 118.29, 111.43, and 107.73 ppm, respectively, against third instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h of exposure. Maximum larvicidal activity was observed in the methanolic extract followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane extract. No mortality was observed in the control. The observed mortality were statistically significant at P < 0.05 level. L. aspera showed the highest mortality rate against the mosquito larvae in laboratory and field. The larval density was decreased after the treatment of plant extracts at the breeding sites (sewage water), and hence, these plant extracts of the suitable alternatives of synthetic insecticides for the mosquito vector management. The present results suggest that the medicinal plants extract was an excellent potential for controlling filarial vector, C. quinquefasciatus.

Effect of different solvents for seed oil extraction of Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) on insecticidal activity of this plant extract

Developing of new pesticides from botanical pesticides has been attempted in the past [1]. Botanical pesticides are safe to use in different propose and IPM program [2]. Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) is characterized by containing allelochemicals compounds, with a high level of bioactivity against insect. In this study M. azedarach seeds were collected from Kerman, Iran. The seeds were milled and powdered mechanically using commercial electrical stainless steel blender to extract their oil. The experiments were directed to determine the effect of different solvents on insecticidal activity of seed oil of M. azedarach on 3–4-day-old individuals of Aphis fabae Scopoli. The oil was extracted with different solvents. The solvents were included acetic acid, acetone and n-Hexane. All experiments were conducted by topical test bioassay in laboratory, at 25±1°C temperature, relative humidity of 60±10% and 16 hours of artificial light at an intensity of about 4000 lux. Water and DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) were used as control treatments. The results indicated that in the concentration 80µl/ml, the mortality of A. fabae treated with n-Hexanic seed extract of M. azedarach after 24 hours, was more than 72%, while it was 40.75% and 60% in A. fabae treated with acetic acid and acetonic seed extract of M. azedarach respectively. The mortality of A. fabae treated with n-Hexanic seed extract of M. azedarach was significantly higher than acetic acid seed extract of M. azedarach. It could be concluded that some plant extracts may be applicable as a safe insecticide to aphid's control.

Bioefficacy of larvicdial and pupicidal properties of Carica papaya (Caricaceae) leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, spinosad, against chikungunya vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present study was carried out to establish the properties of Carica papaya leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, spinosad on larvicidal and pupicidal activity against the chikungunya vector, Aedes aegypti. The medicinal plants were collected from the area around Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. C. papaya leaf was washed with tap water and shade-dried at room temperature. An electrical blender powdered the dried plant materials (leaves). The powder (500 g) of the leaf was extracted with 1.5 l of organic solvents of methanol for 8 h using a Soxhlet apparatus and then filtered. The crude leaf extracts were evaporated to dryness in a rotary vacuum evaporator. The plant extract showed larvicidal and pupicidal effects after 24 h of exposure; however, the highest larval and pupal mortality was found in the leaf extract of methanol C. papaya against the first- to fourth-instar larvae and pupae of values LC(50) = I instar was 51.76 ppm, II instar was 61.87 ppm, III instar was 74.07 ppm, and IV instar was 82.18 ppm, and pupae was 440.65 ppm, respectively, and bacterial insecticide, spinosad against the first to fourth instar larvae and pupae of values LC(50) = I instar was 51.76 ppm, II instar was 61.87 ppm, III instar was 74.07 ppm, and IV instar was 82.18 ppm, and pupae was 93.44 ppm, respectively. Moreover, combined treatment of values of LC(50) = I instar was 55.77 ppm, II instar was 65.77 ppm, III instar was 76.36 ppm, and IV instar was 92.78 ppm, and pupae was 107.62 ppm, respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. The results that the leaves extract of C. papaya and bacterial insecticide, Spinosad is promising as good larvicidal and pupicidal properties of against chikungunya vector, A. aegypti. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of chikungunya vector, A. aegypti as target species of vector control programs.

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of Acalypha alnifolia Klein ex Willd. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extract against the malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi, dengue vector, Aedes aegypti and Bancroftian filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The leaf extract of Acalypha alnifolia with different solvents - hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol - were tested for larvicidal activity against three important mosquitoes such as malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi, dengue vector, Aedes aegypti and Bancroftian filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. The medicinal plants were collected from the area around Kallar Hills near the Western Ghats, Coimbatore, India. A. alnifolia plant was washed with tap water and shade dried at room temperature. The dried leaves were powdered mechanically using commercial electrical stainless steel blender. The powder 800 g of the leaf material was extract with 2.5 litre of various each organic solvents such as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol for 8 h using Soxhlet apparatus, and filtered. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in a rotary vacuum evaporator. The yield of extracts was hexane (8.64 g), chloroform (10.74 g), ethyl acetate (9.14 g), acetone (10.02 g), and methanol (11.43 g). One gram of the each plant residue was dissolved separately in 100 ml of acetone (stock solution) from which different concentrations, i.e., 50, 150, 250, 350 and 450 ppm, was prepared. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone was moderate considerable mortality; however, the highest larval mortality was methanolic extract observed in three mosquito vectors. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. No mortality was observed in the control. The early fourth-instar larvae of A. stephensi had values of LC(50) = 197.37, 178.75, 164.34, 149.90 and 125.73 ppm and LC(90) = 477.60, 459.21, 435.07, 416.20 and 395.50 ppm, respectively. The A. aegypti had values of LC(50) = 202.15, 182.58, 160.35, 146.07 and 128.55 ppm and LC(90) = 476.57, 460.83, 440.78, 415.38 and 381.67 ppm, respectively. The C. quinquefasciatus had values of LC(50) = 198.79, 172.48, 151.06, 140.69 and 127.98 ppm and LC(90) = 458.73, 430.66, 418.78, 408.83 and 386.26 ppm, respectively. The results of the leaf extract of A. alnifloia are promising as good larvicidal activity against the mosquito vector, A. stephensi, A. aegypti, C. quinquefasciatus. Therefore, this study provides first report on the larvicidal activities against three species of mosquito vectors of this plant extracts from Southern India.