Molluscicidal activity of Moringa oleifera on Biomphalaria glabrata: Integrated dynamics to the control of the snail host of Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract

The ground seed of Moringa oleifera Lam., Moringaceae, has been evaluated for its molluscicidal activity against the snails Biomphalaria glabrata, Physa marmorata and Melanoides tuberculatus. The results show that M. oleifera is active against B. glabrata (LC50 0.419 g/l; LC90 1.021 g/l and P. marmorata (LC50 0.339 g/l; LC90 0.789 g/l) but has no effect against M. tuberculatus. The great innovation of the use of M. oleifera, in addition to being innocuous to humans, is the present nutritional potential for humans and animals as well as providing an ecosystemic service as water purifier. © 2013 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.