Abstract:
Mosquito borne diseases are responsible for causing numerous morbidities and mortalities worldwide. The need to control these mosquitoes is a must to help curb the problem brought about by these mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides and commercial larvicides are used to control these mosquito populations, however, the use of these chemicals bring about detrimental effects to other organisms and the environment. Hence, there is a need to find natural products that can act as an alternative in controlling mosquito populations. This study aims to determine whether the crude methanolic extract of Pleurotus florida (white oyster mushroom) is able to kill A. aegypti mosquito larvae and to elucidate the presence of bioactive compounds through qualitative phytochemical screening. The mushroom samples were collected, air-dried, and crude methanolic extracted and screened for the presence of secondary metabolites namely flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phytosterols, anthraquinone, glycosides, saponins, resins, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, and proteins. Larvicidal activity was assessed using a modified larvicide bioassay using three concentrations (v/v): 5%, 2%, and 1%. Results show that only flavonoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, and phytosterols are present. Complete larval mortality at 5% concentration v/v after 24 and 48 hours postexposure. Gradual larval mortality was observed in both the 1% and 2% concentrations from 24 to 48 hours. All concentrations exhibited higher larval mortality relative to the positive control (Piper nigrum), which had a 43.33% larval mortality. The P. florida crude methanolic extract can be a potential larvicide against A. aegypti larvae.
