Larvicidal efficacy of chloroform extract of mangrove plant Acanthus ilicofolius

Abstract

Based on the data from Government of India National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Department of Health & Family Welfare six species of local mosquitoes are identified viz, Anopheles culicifacies, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquifasciatus, C. vishnui, C. pseudovishnui and C. tritaeniorhynchus. Based on the data sampling was done for Anopheles mosquito and their larvae, Aedes mosquito and their larvae, and Culex quinquifasciatus and their larvae. Acanthus ilicifolius, also known as holly-leaved acanthus, sea holly, and holy mangrove, is a shrub or herb belonging to the Acanthaceae family. The plant grows up to 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) tall as a shrub. It has shallow tap roots and, on rare occasions, a stilt root. Kidney-shaped fruits. It can be found in mangrove areas. The leaves are collected, cleaned, and shade dried before being powdered and squeezed into a fine powder. Chloroform, and distilled water are used to macerate the powder. The stock solution is made with the extract. Bioassays using chloroform extract is used to examine the effect on larvae. For the control group, 100 percent mortality occurred during the first two hours, and for the 10% solution group, it occurred within six hours. The mortality rate for a 1 percent solution is 60% after 24 hours, but just 20% for a 0.1 percent solution. Based on the findings, it was determined that chloroform extract of Acanthus ilicofolius leaves can be utilised as larvicides.