Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University.
2
Emeritus professor of insect physiology, Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University
3
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University
4
Entomology Department Faculty of Science Ain Shams University Cairo, Egypt.
10.21608/ejabf.2025.427611.6662
Abstract
Rising insecticide resistance and the negative impacts of synthetic pesticides have fueled the pursuit of safer, environmentally friendly alternatives. Among these, plant extracts are gaining attention for their natural insecticidal properties, supported by their antioxidant activity and rich essential oil content. Ziziphus spina-christi (known locally as Nabak or Sidr), a subtropical plant with long-standing traditional uses, was investigated in this study for its larvicidal potential against Culex pipiens Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae), a medically important mosquito species. Bioassays revealed that sidr oil was far more potent than ethanol and methanol leaf extracts, with LC₅₀ values of 110.87, 2372.14, and 4421.92 ppm, respectively. Biochemical analyses showed that methanol extract significantly reduced protein levels (57.7%) and slightly lowered lipid content (2.2%), while sidr oil caused the most striking decline in carbohydrate levels (57.3%) after 48 hours. Notably, acetylcholinesterase activity increased dramatically, especially with ethanol extract (576.03%), whereas glutathione (GSH) reserves were depleted, with methanol extract showing the greatest reduction (28.67%). Phytochemical and GC–MS analyses confirmed the presence of bioactive metabolites: methanol and ethanol extracts were rich in phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, while key compounds included phytol, octadecatrienoic acid, squalene, and oleic acid (the latter dominating the oil at 66.6%). In conclusion, the antioxidant-rich profile of Z. spina-christi confers strong larvicidal activity, positioning sidr oil and leaf extracts as promising eco-friendly alternatives to conventional insecticides for mosquito control.
Keywords
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