Molluscicidal Activity of Nutmeg and Mace (Myristica Fragrans Houtt.) Against the Vector Snail Lymnaea Acuminata

Abstract

The molluscicidal activity of powdered nutmeg and mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) against the vector snail Lymnaea acuminata was evaluated. The toxicity of both the spices was time- and dose-dependent. The toxicity of mace powder (96 h LC₅₀ = 28.61 mgL⁻¹) was more pronounced than that of nutmeg powder (96 h LC₅₀ = 36.95 mgL⁻¹). Ethanolic extracts of nutmeg and mace were more toxic than their other organic solvent extracts. The ethanolic extract of mace (24 h LC₅₀ = 13.33 mgL⁻¹) was more effective than the ethanolic extract of nutmeg (24 h LC₅₀ = 18.04 mgL⁻¹) in killing the test animals. The 96 h LC₅₀ of column purified fraction of mace was 2.77 mgL⁻¹ whereas that of nutmeg was 3.98 mgL⁻¹. Nutmeg and mace may be used as potent molluscicides.

KEYWORDS:

• Fascioliasis
• Fasciola hepatica
• Fasciola gigantic
• liver fluke
• livestock diseases
• medicinal plant