Biocidal activity of soursop extracts (Annona muricata L.) in larval stage III of the Aedes aegypti L. mosquito

Abstract

Currently, the mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is the main vector for the transmission of infectious disease viruses with high pathogenic reactivity such as dengue, chikungunya, and zika, which combined with high-risk factors or little medical attention, can be lethal. Additionally, health systems are facing a rising problem, the lack of a control method for this mosquito that is easily proliferated and exhibit increased resistance to traditionally insecticides, reducing the available options for its eradication. This research evaluated the larvae activity of soursop leaf and seed extracts (Annona muricata L.) obtained by two extraction methods (Soxhlet and idle) as an alternative to larval stage III of A. aegypti control. Also, we evaluated the effect of the solvent and the environmental conditions on larvae mortality. The results have shown that the differences in the proximal composition of the samples are dependent not only on the matrix (leaf or seed) used but also on their origin. Likewise, the larvicidal effect of seed and leaf extracts of soursop on larval stage III of A. aegypti is confirmed; however, the effectiveness of the extract is dependent on the extraction method. Controls indicated that the environment and the solvent did not influence when assessing lethality.