African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management

African Journal of Environmental and Waste Management ISSN 2375-1266 Vol. 11 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of Phytochemical Properties and Larvicidal Efficacy of Ethanol Extracts from Five Macrophyte Species Against Anopheles Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

*Imam TS and Tajuddeen UM

Biological Sciences Department, Bayero University, Kano PMB 3011, Kano Nigeria

Accepted 24 April, 2024

Abstract

The study aimed at qualitative phytochemical screening and larvicidal potencies of ethanolic extract of five selected macrophyte species. The ethanolic extracts were obtained through percolation process and were used in carrying out phytochemical test for alkaloids, saponins, resins, flavonoids, steroid, reducing sugar, tannins and phlobatannins. The result showed that all the aforementioned phytochemicals were present in all the extracts with the exception of resins. The toxicity test was carried out using mosquito larvae and the result obtained showed that extracts of Pistia stratiotes, Typha latifolia, Leucas martinicensis, Cynodon dactylon, and Nymphaea lotus has LC50 of 63.3, 68.1, 68.4, 68.1 and 62.8 mg/L respectively. This shows that N. lotus has the highest lethal effect while L. marticinensis has the least. Considering the side effect of chemical insecticides to human health, it is suggested that the use of organic insecticides should be encouraged so as to ameliorate health problems, since it is eco-friendly in nature.

Keywords: Macrophytes, phytochemical, ethanolic, toxicity.