Mosquito-larvicidal activity of ceylon citronella {Cymbopogon Nardus (L.) Rendle} oil fractions

Abstract

Fractional distillation of Ceylon citronella {Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle} oil yielded 13 fractions. Monoterpene hydrocarbon fractions were highly lethal to late 3rd instar Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The results suggest that myrcene in the monoterpene fractions is responsible for the larvicidal activity. Elemol and/or methyl iso-eugenol were identified as active principles responsible for the larvicidal activity in later fractions. The residue after fractional distillation of oil also possessed considerable larvicidal activity. Hydrocarbon fraction and the residue after fractional distillation of Ceylon citronella oil can be used as mosquito-larvicides.