Screening of selected local plant extracts for their repellent activity against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes
Amelia Abd Jalil, Zaridah Mohd Zaki, Mohd Kamal Nik Hasan, Chee Beng Jin, Muhammad Danial Che Ramli, Theresa Luli Rerang, Azman Mohamed, Hafizi Russelan, Mohd Khair Ayob, Abd Rashid Li
Abstract
This preliminary study selected the extracts of 33 Malaysian plants to screen for repellent activity against Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) mosquitoes, a mosquito that is native to Southeast Asia and is one of the vectors for the Dengue virus. The repellent potential of the plant extracts was studied under a controlled environment, at 27-28℃ and a humidity of 75 to 80%. A set concentration of plant extract was applied on the skin of hairless rats which act as the blood meal host for the Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Starved mature female Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were used and observation was done by observational parameters such as the time took to land and begin blood feed. Results indicated that out of the 33 plant extract used, seven showed potential as a viable mosquito repellent, which is Muntingia calabura fruit extract, Ipomoea aquatica leaf extract, Glycine max polysaccharide extract, Annona muricata fruit and polysaccharide extract, Mangifera indica leaf extract, and Citrus hystrix peel extract. These local plants have the potential as a viable option as a commercial mosquito repellent, but further testing is needed.
Keywords: Repellent test, Aedes albopictus, plant extract
Amelia Abd Jalil, Zaridah Mohd Zaki, Mohd Kamal Nik Hasan, Chee Beng Jin, Muhammad Danial Che Ramli, Theresa Luli Rerang, Azman Mohamed, Hafizi Russelan, Mohd Khair Ayob, Abd Rashid Li
Abstract
This preliminary study selected the extracts of 33 Malaysian plants to screen for repellent activity against Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) mosquitoes, a mosquito that is native to Southeast Asia and is one of the vectors for the Dengue virus. The repellent potential of the plant extracts was studied under a controlled environment, at 27-28℃ and a humidity of 75 to 80%. A set concentration of plant extract was applied on the skin of hairless rats which act as the blood meal host for the Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Starved mature female Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were used and observation was done by observational parameters such as the time took to land and begin blood feed. Results indicated that out of the 33 plant extract used, seven showed potential as a viable mosquito repellent, which is Muntingia calabura fruit extract, Ipomoea aquatica leaf extract, Glycine max polysaccharide extract, Annona muricata fruit and polysaccharide extract, Mangifera indica leaf extract, and Citrus hystrix peel extract. These local plants have the potential as a viable option as a commercial mosquito repellent, but further testing is needed.
Keywords: Repellent test, Aedes albopictus, plant extract
