Screening of phytochemical composition, Ovicidal and repellent activity of leaf extracts of Sphaeranthus indicus and Caesalpinia pulcherrima against the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquitoes contribute to main disease burden in India as they are main causative agent of many vector-borne diseases. Various methods are now being used to control the vectors that might help to stop the disease spread. In this regard, the current study was carried out to analyze the phytochemicals, ovicidal and repellent activities of acetone, chloroform and ethanol extracts of Sphaeranthus indicus leaves and Caesalpinia pulcherrima leaves against the vector Culex quinquefasciatus. The ovicidal potency was investigated at different concentrations ranging from of 50 ppm to 300 ppm under standard laboratory environment. The repellent activity was tested at the concentrations of 1.0 mg/cm2, 2.5 mg/cm2 and 5.0 mg/cm2. The test to find out the phytochemicals present in the extract was done following the standard methods. According to the results, among the three extracts tested for their ovicidal potency, the Sphaeranthus indicus ethanol leaf extract showed excellent ovicidal potency and repellent potency against the vector mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Therefore, the extract was further subjected for phytochemical screening. The results of phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and phytosterols.