Zamzam water may act as pesticide with and without globe artichoke extract against the cotton mealy bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis

Abstract

Background: The holy water, Zamzam has many benefits to the human body. Therefore, the present study aims to clear new use of Zamzam water that it can be used as pesticide. In this study, Zamzam water was tested as pesticide alone and with globe artichoke extract and the globe artichoke extract also with tap water against the cotton mealy-bug, Phenacoccus solenopsis. Results: The obtained results proved that, Zamzam water only has mortality rate approaches the mortality rate of the globe artichoke extract alone. Zamzam water achieved 60% mortality against the adult, P. solenopsis. While 20.000 ppm globe artichoke extract with tap water achieved 70% mortality. Zamzam water, also, improved the effect of globe artichoke extract when diluted with it and the mortality increased to be 86.67% at 15,000 ppm. Likewise, LC 50 was 2055.4 ppm with globe artichoke extract with Zamzam water, while it was 13,494.8 ppm with globe artichoke extract without Zamzam water. However, LC 90 was 35,791.5 ppm with globe artichoke extract with Zamzam water while it was 48,922.9 ppm with globe artichoke extract without Zamzam water. Also, the chemical analysis of Zamzam water proved the difference in its composition than tap water especially in cations and anions that causes properties like magnetism. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, the globe artichoke extract with Zamzam water was the most toxic in control of P. solenopsis. This may open great attention to the other uses of the holy water, Zamzam water in pests' management and encourage more researches about globe artichoke leaves extract and Zamzam water.