Larvicidal activity of essential oils and extracts of colombian plants against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Essential oils and extracts obtained by microwave hydrodistillation and percolation from plants organically cultivated in the farm El Limonal Piedecuesta-Santander, Colombia, were characterized by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry. The insecticidal activity against third instar larva of Culex quinquefasciatus and the inhibition activity of acetylcholinesterase of those compounds were studied. Also, the toxicity was evaluated against the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our results show that the Ruta graveolens essential oil had the highest larvicidal activity with a LC50 7.20±0.19 μg/mL, a moderate inhibition over the enzyme with an IC50 44.98±1.1 μg/mL and a moderate toxicity with a LC50 13.33±0.59 mg/L.

Keywords

• aceites esenciales
• actividad larvicida
• bioensayos en embriones cebra
• culex quinquefasciatus
• extractos
• inhibidores de acetilcolinesterasa