Evaluation of Litsea petiolata Hook.f. (Lauraceae) as a repellent against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

Roongtawan  Muangmoon; Orawan  Sinpaiboonlert

Roongtawan Muangmoon College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkram Provice, Thailand
Orawan Sinpaiboonlert College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkram Provice, Thailand

Keywords: repellent, Aedes aegypti, essential oil

Abstract

Products of plant origin, with deterrents and repellents effects are now recognized as attractive alternatives to conventional personal protection for the management of mosquito vectors. This study was, therefore, carried out to evaluate the repellents mosquito-borne diseases potential of plant essential oils against the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. Plant samples used for extraction of essential oils ( EO) , including stem ( SEO) , bark ( BEO) and flower ( FEO) of Litsea petiolata were collected from their natural environment in Pong Thewi village, Ban Pong sub - district, Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai provice, Thailand. The percentage yields of SEO, BEO and FEO oils obtained by steam distillation were 1. 85, 0. 65 and 1. 75 % , respectively, according to dry weight (v/w). The repellent efficacy against the laboratory strain of Aedes aegypti by using the human-bait technique of the WHO (1996) standard method, with slight modifications. In the repellent bioassays, FEO offered no repellency against Ae. aegypti, weak repellent activity was obtained from EO treatment, SEO complete protection of 0 . 5 hour. and BEO show complete protection of 1.0 hour. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrated the promising potential of plant essential oils, particularly BEO of, which has the p ossibility of developing as into new natural repellents against mosquito vectors.