Biocontrol of Anopheles gambiae larvae using fresh ripe and unripe fruit extracts of Capsicum frutescens var. baccatum

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the biocontrol of Anopheles gambiae larvae using fresh ripe and unripe fruit extracts of Capsicum frutescens var. baccatum. Materials and Methods: Ripe and unripe fruit extracts of C. frutescens var. baccatum were tested against A. gambiae for 24 h. The A. gambiae used for the study was obtained from the wild and identified following standard procedure. Results and Discussion: Results of the bioassay showed that 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ppm concentration, the percentage mortality was 0.00%, 16.67%, 38.33%, 46.67%, 70.00%, and 86.67%, respectively, for the unripe extracts, and 0%, 10.00%, 26.67%, 40.00%, 40.00%, and 66.67%, respectively, for the ripe extract. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference at P < 0.05 across the concentrations. Between unripe and ripe extracts, there were no significant variations (P > 0.05) at 50, 100, and 150 ppm, but significant variations (P < 0.05) exist at 200 and 250 ppm. The LC50value was 121.65 ppm for the unripe extract and 196.61 ppm for the ripe extracts. Conclusion and Recommendation: From the result of this study, there is the need for research to focus on the isolation and purification bioactive compounds that make the pepper confer activity against of larvae of A. gambiae.