Larvicidal effects of paw paw (Carica papaya) aqueous extract on mosqiuto vectors

Abstract

As part of local sourcing for control of malaria in Nigeria, the larvicidal effect of Carica papaya extract against larvae of Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes and the rate of decay of the extract in aqueous solution was investigated. The leaf extract was found to achieve a 100% mortality rate of the Anopheles mosquito larvae at the concentration of 0.06 mg/ml. A much higher concentration (0.10 mg/ml) was required to achieve the same mortality rate for Culex larvae. The lethal strength of the solution decreased with time of storage, loosing its larvicidal property on the 18th day of storage. The study suggests that Carica papaya extract could act as effective larvicide if appropriate bio-degradation controlled system capable of maintaining the release of the active ingredients for a longer period is developed..

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 417-420