Larvicidal effects of the major essential oil of Pittosporum tobira against Aedes aegypti (L.)

摘要

Essential oil obtained from the leaves of Pittosporum tobira was extracted and its chemical composition and larvicidal effects were studied. Analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to determine the primary constituents of the essential oil of P. tobira. The yield of P. tobira essential oil (PTEO) was 0.1%, and GC-MS analysis identified its major constituents as undecane (31.11%), 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene (11.34%), (1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl)benzene (5.45%), and L-limonene (14.08%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), with an LC50 value of 58.92 ppm and an LC90 value of 111.31 ppm. Finally, the LC50 and LC90 values of L-limonene were 39.7 ppm and 78.11 ppm. These results could be useful for seeking newer, safer, and more effective natural larvicidal agents against A. aegypti.