Exploring Larvicidal potential of citrus limon peel extracts as alternative control agent for Aedes aegypti

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is a key vector of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. However, its preventive strategies have encountered difficulties, such as the growth of insecticide resistant mosquitoes and environmental concerns. This has forced the investigation of alternative larvicidal compounds. Citrus limon peel extracts demonstrate potential bioactivity against a variety of of insects, making them an attractive choice for mosquito control. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the larvicidal properties of Citrus limon peel extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae. Methods: We obtained the extracts by aqueous extraction using Clevenger equipment. The larvicidal activity was performed using larvicidal bioassays recommended by World Health Organization. Organization. Different doses of extracts were tested using 25 third-instar larvae and documented death rates at different time intervals using direct and Koi pellet methods. Results: The Citrus limon peel extracts exhibited significant larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae. One-way Anova was used to determine the maximum mortality rates of 94 and 60 ppm after 48 hours of exposure at a concentration of 100 ppm for both direct and Koi introduction methods respectively. The results were subjected to Probit Regression analysis method to calculate the lethal concentration that kills half of the larvae (LC50) with direct method and Koi pellet method giving 34 and 78 ppm respectively. The dose-dependent effect was registered. Conclusion: Our findings show that Citrus limon peel extracts have larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae. These natural extracts have the potential to be an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to mosquito control strategies. More study is needed to discover the effectiveness of incorporating the extracts into inert carrier for larvicidal action and assess their safety and efficacy in the field.