Exploring the Larvicidal Efficacy of Extracts from Red Lady Variety Carica Papaya Leaves Against Mosquito Vectors

Abstract

Background: Carica papaya L. (Red Lady variety) contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenolic compounds in its fresh leaves, which have medicinal properties and serve as safe natural larvicides.Objective: This study aims to investigate the larvicidal potential of acetone and n-hexane extracts from red lady variety Carica papaya leaves compared with permethrin.Materials and Methods: The Red Lady leaves extraction process was conducted at the University of Karachi Pakistan. Initially, 5kg of fresh Green was collected, cleaned, washed thoroughly with tap and distilled water before being air-dried, chopped, and blended. Acetone/n-hexane was used as solvents in a Soxhlet extractor. The samples were used in the Dengue Mosquito Vector Assay, where Aedes aegypti specimens were sourced from egg rafts. The larvae were fed fish feed pellets until they molted into third-instar larvae. The plant extract was administered in serial concentrations and, a stock solution of 200ppm was created and 10 larvae were transferred to the flask containing the test solution. The larvae were exposed to the test solution 6 times, with permethrin as the positive-control and ethanol as the negative-control.Results: The n-hexane extract exhibited remarkable efficacy, causing a 90% mortality rate among larvae at a concentration of 200µg/ml. In contrast, the acetone extract showed lower effectiveness, resulting in only a 10% mortality rate at the same concentration. In contrast, the standard drug Permethrin achieved a 100% mortality rate.Conclusion: The n-hexane extract is a potential larvicide against Aedes aegypti larvae, while more research is needed to optimize the efficacy of the acetone extract.Keywords: Acetone Extracts, Carica Papaya, Larvicidal, n-Hexane Extracts, Red Lady.