Chemical Composition and Larvicidal Activity of Bunium persicum Essential Oil Against Two Important Mosquitoes Vectors

Abstract

Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of many pathogens and parasites, which cause serious diseases in humans. Currently, applications of plant derivatives have been suggested as alternative bio-control technique for these medically important vectors and pests. Laboratory bioassay of the seed essential oil extracted from an indigenous plant, Bunium persicum was carried out against the larvae of two vector species of mosquitoes in order to evaluate its mosquito larvicidal effect. In addition, Chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty-five constituents were identified, the main constituents of the oil were p-cuminaldehyde (23.50%), α-methyl-benzenemethanol (14.59%), γ-terpinene (13.10%) and β-cymene (8.48%). Five concentrations of essential oil were evaluated against the 4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values against An. stephensi larvae were 27.72 and 91.35 ppm and for Cx. pipiens were 20.61 and 52.31 ppm, respectively. Our finding suggests that B. persicum oil has potential source of valuable larvicidal compounds for mosquito larval control.

Key word:

• Bunium persicum
• GC-MS
• Larvicidal effect
• Anopheles stephensi
• Culex pipiens