IN VITRO INSECTICIDAL AND REPELLENT ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM CITRUS MAXIMA FRUIT PEEL AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is a well-known vector of dengue virus responsible for dengue fever that has caused dangerous effects on human health, and there are currently no specific antiviral drugs for dengue. The present study was carried out to evaluate insecticidal and repellent activity of essential oil extracted from Citrus maxima fruit peel against Aedes aegypti under the laboratory conditions. The results showed that the essential oil caused concentration dependent mortalities toward the Aedes aegypti larvae, and at the treated concentration of 250µg/mL, 71.67% of the lavae were killed after 24 hours. Also the essential oil exhibited strong adulticidal and repellent effects against the mosquito. At the concentration of 12.00µg/cm³, 88.89% of the adults were died after an hour of observation, and the essential oil at concentration of 2.40µg/cm³ repeled 82.96% of adult population after an hour of the treatment. The further studies need to be carried out in order to effectively use the C. maxima fruit peel essential oil in controlling the mosquito and protecting human health.