A STUDY ON THE TOXICITY OF THE ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Moringa oleifera SEED OIL ON Simulium LARVAE

Etusim, P.E1, Uwom, K.U1, Melariri, P.E2, Ibeh, O.O3 and Ogbonnaya, C.I4
1Unit of Medical Parasitology, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology,
Abia State University, Nigeria
2Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria South Africa
3Simulium Research Laboratory, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology,
Abia State University, Nigeria.
4Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, Nigeria.
E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Different control measures have been targeted against vectors of
diseases, and attempts relied heavily on the use of such synthetic
pesticides. Unfortunately, the repeated use of synthetic insecticides
has disrupted natural biological control system. The development of
resistance and human health concerns has led to a search for
alternative control measures. To test the toxicity of the ethanol
extract of Moringa oleifera seed oil on Simulium larvae, larvae of
Simulium were used for larvicidal bioassay. 120 larvae were released in
plastic containers. 20 for every set of experiment, with two replicates
for each concentration of Moringa oleifera seed oil. 200ml of water was
used, after which the oil extract was introduced. A total of 100%
mortality was recorded in 0.1ml and 0.2ml treatment levels, showing an
excellent toxicity on the larvae sampled. The result of this study
suggests that the plant extract can act as larvicide against Simulium
larvae in breeding sites.