Larvicidal activity of endocarp and seed crude extracts of Dracaena loureiri Gagnep against Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquito

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the endocarp and seeds of Dracaena loureiri (D. loureiri) against the dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti. Methods: Bioassays were performed by exposing late third-stage to early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti to various concentrations of the extracts from D. loureiri. The larval mortality was observed after 24- and 48-h exposure. Results: The larvicidal bioassay in this study demonstrated that the ethanolic endocarp extract was the most effective with the LC50 value of 84.00 mg/L after 24 h exposure and < 50 mg/L after 48 h exposure. Extracts from the other parts of the plant were significantly less effective as a larvicide. Conclusions: The ethanolic endocarp extract of D. loureiri demonstrated effective larvicidal activity. It is an alternative source for developing a novel larvicide for controlling this mosquito species.

Keywords

• Aedes aegypti
• Dracaena loureiri
• Larvicide
• Plant extracts
• Crude extracts