Larvicidal, Biological and Histological Activities, and Chemical Composition of Plant Essential Oils Against Culex pipiens

Sebak Et Al., Salwa I.

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2024.339872

Larvicidal, Biological and Histological Activities, and Chemical Composition of Plant Essential Oils Against Culex pipiens

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Salwa I. Sebak et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2024.339872

Abstract

Despite their diminutive size, mosquitoes serve as significant vectors for numerous pathogenic organisms. In this research, five commercial essential oils (EOs) were screened (lemon, camphor, sandalwood, orange, and black pepper oil)against larvae of the filarial vector Culex pipiens to evaluate their larvicidal activity, their effects on different biological aspects and midgut histological architecture. Moreover, the chemical profile of the tested EOs was conducted employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results revealed that the most toxic oil was orange oil, with LC₅₀ of 117.69 ppm and LC₉₀ of 442.64 ppm. With LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 1439.63 and 22489.03 ppm, respectively, lemon oil exhibited the least larvicidal activity. Larval treatments with the five EOs decreased pupation, pupal duration, adult female longevity, fecundity, and egg hatchability, with complete inhibition of egg deposition due to orange and black pepper oil treatments. The effects of EOs revealed destructive changes in midgut epithelial cells and peritrophic membranes. GC-MS analysis revealed that monoterpenes and fatty acids were the major constituents of the studied EOs. In conclusion, EOs can be used as effective alternatives to conventional insecticides for disease vector Cx. pipiens control.

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