Larvicidal Potential of Persea americana Seed Extract against Aedes vittatus Mosquito

Aims: To investigate larvicidal activity of solvents (Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, n-Hexane) extracts of Persea americana seed against Aedes vittatus and partially purify the extract, value of ppm ppm, six of and twelve hours post exposure, n-hexane chromatographic P. americana (nhp) tested on the larvae, showed increased activity of some fractions, nhp6 and nhp7 with lc¬50 values of 0.486 ppm and 0.727 ppm, having 100% mortality at 50 ppm and 25 ppm, at 24 and 12 hours post exposure respectively. The gc/ms s identification of the most effective fraction, nhp6, revealed eighteen peaks, dominant four of which include fatty acid and fatty acid methyl esters, which correspond to oleic acid (22%), 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl pentyl ester of isobutanoic acid (12.26%), methyl-2-(acetyloxy) hexadecanoate (10.28%) and 3,4-dimethyl-1-decene (10.02%). The ftir analysis identified functional groups present which include; alkane, alkene, alkyl halide, aldehyde, carboxylic acid and carbonyl ester. Conclusion: Based on these findings of all the solvents used, the n-hexane, ethylacetate and ethanol extracts of Persea americana seed have shown good larvicidal activity. The oleic acid content of this plant should be explored and optimised to serve as source of larvicide that is effective and environmentally friendly.