Phytochemical composition and larvicidal potentials of three plant flower extracts against Culex spp. larvae
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The growing need for ecological friendly and sustainable mosquito control methods has led to growing interest in plant-based larvicides. This study evaluated the larvicidal potential of extracts from the petals of Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus), Agave amica (commonly called ‘Rajanigandha’ in bengali), and Lantana camara against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Metabolites were extracted using three solvents acetone, ethanol, distilled water, chosen on the basis of their polarity to assess the larvicidal activity. Larval mortality was recorded after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of exposure at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 ppm. The findings highlight the important role of solvent polarity in extracting secondary metabolites responsible for larvicidal activity. Overall, the study suggests that locally available flowers specially in times of festivals and leftovers from the deity worship, can be recycled into better environmentally safer alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides in mosquito vector management programs.
Authors: Rohit Saha Sagata Mondal, Sagata Mondal
Institution: Vidyasagar College
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222811666