The Open Entomology Journal

2013, 7 : 16-22
Published online 2013 August 23. DOI: 10.2174/1874407901307010016
Publisher ID: TOENTOJ-7-16

Larvicidal and Repellent Potential of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn Essential Oil against Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae)

Jude D. Bigoga , Petola A. Saahkem , Sali A. Ndindeng , Judith L. Ngondi , Maximilienne Nyegue , Julius E. Oben and Rose G.F. Leke
Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon.

ABSTRACT

Larvicidal and repellent effect of the essential oil from the seeds and leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn were evaluated against the larvae and adults of Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes at concentrations of 0, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm. Total mortality of larvae occurred at 200ppm and 300ppm for the essential oils from seeds and leaves respectively. Alpha-terpinene (73.55% for the seeds; 40.69% for the leaves) and para-cymene (20.05% for the seeds; 45.44% for the leaves) are the principal constituents. There was a 100% repellent effect on adult mosquitoes at 200ppm, with protection time of at least four hours for both seed and leaf essential oils. The findings indicated that C. ambrosioides Linn possess mosquito larvicidal and repellent potentials that might be further exploited in combating malaria through anti-vector intervention.

Keywords:

Malaria, Chenopodium ambrosioides, essential oil.