Malaria Vector Control with Plant Essential Oils

Purpose: Excessive use of chemical insecticides has caused environmental pollution and vector resistance. Herbal essential oils with larvicidal properties are good alternatives to synthetic insecticides. In this study, larvicide properties of Myrtus communis essential oil against Anopheles stephensi were investigated. Methods: Components of M. communis essential oil were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). All larvicidal bioassay tests were performed according to the method recommended by the World Health Organization and using ۳rd and ۴th instar larvae raised under laboratory condition. Results: A total of ۱۰۷ M. communis essential oil compounds were discovered. LC۵۰ and LC۹۰ of M. communis essential oil were calculated as ۲۶.۱ and ۴۶.۲ mg/ml, respectively. The bulk essential oil larvicide activity (۱۰۰%) lasted up to ۲۴ h. Conclusions: Myrtus communis essential oil was found to be an effective larvicide and classified as an active larvicide. The residual effectiveness of the essential oil of M. communis can be significantly increased by nanoformulation techniques.

کلیدواژه ها:

Myrtus communis ، Larvicidal activity ، Anopheles stephensi