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Assessement of larvicidal and pupicidal activities of Mentha piperita essential oil and effects in biomarkers and morphometric aspects against two mosquito species (Culiseta longiareolata and Culex pipiens)

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Abstract

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) cultivated in Tebessa (Algeria) and to assess their potential larvicidal and pupicidal activities against two most abundant and investigated mosquito species, Culex pipiens and Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera, Culicidae). GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of the plant revealed 65 compounds, which the major compounds were carvone (52.58%) and DL-limonene (17.40%). The toxicity results showed a strong larvicidal and pupicidal activities for both species with LC50 values of 38.81µL/L; 93.78µL/L and 49.01 µL/L; 115µL/L for larvae and pupae of Cs longiareolata and Cx pipiens respectively. This essential oil affects significantly the biomarkers; it reveals a neurotoxic effect by a decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and activation of detoxification system as showed by an increase in Glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity. The biochemical composition showed that the essential oil affected the energy reserves with a marked effect on proteins and lipids. A delay in developmental time when larvae were exposed to sublethal concentrations of M. piperita EO was observed, followed by significant changes in sex ratio (sex-ratio was skewed towards males).This essential oil would be useful for the development of a new mosquito control agent based on bioactive chemical constituents from plant sources as an alternative to chemical larvicides.

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  1. Laboratory of Water and Environment, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

    Dris Djemâa & Bouabida Hayette

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Djemâa, D., Hayette, B. Assessement of larvicidal and pupicidal activities of Mentha piperita essential oil and effects in biomarkers and morphometric aspects against two mosquito species (Culiseta longiareolata and Culex pipiens). Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 1897–1909 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01067-7

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