Thomas et al. Volume 2 (2), 2014, Page-173-178
173
© International Journal of Pharma Research and Health Sciences. All rights reserved
e-ISSN: 2348-6465
Original Article
Isolation and characterisation of mosquitolarvicidal compound from
Gliricidia sepium
Jacq.
Jiji Thomas
1,*,
Shonima Govindan M
1
, Muraleedhara Kurup G
2
1
School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
2
Dept. of Biochemistry, Kariavattom, Kerala University, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1.
Corresponding author *
Jiji Thomas, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University,
Kottayam, Kerala, India.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Mosquitoes, commonly called “flying syringes”,
as they are sanguivorous vectors, cause more sufferings
to the humans than any other organism. It is not time to
forget the recent rampage of Chikungunya and Dengue
fever all over the state, pushing the people into death or
International Journal of Pharma Research and Health Sciences
Available online at www.pharmahealthsciences.net
Received: 01 Apr 2014
Accepted: 20 Apr 2014
Objective: Isolation and identification of larvicidal phytochemical from the plant
Gliricidia sepium, which is commonly used for smouldering to repel mosquitoes.
Methods: Larvicidal activity of petroleum ether, hexane, acetone, methanol and water
extracts of Gliricidia sepium leaves were assayed for toxicity against 4
th
instar larvae of
Culex quinquefasciatus. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. The crude
petroleum ether extract was further purified by column chromatography and eluates were
tested for larvicidal activity. Selected one was identified by spectral analysis. Result: In
the present study, bioassay- guided fractionation of G.sepium leaf extract led to the
separation and identification of 8,11,14- eicosatrienoic acid as a potential new
mosquitolarvicidal compound with LC
50
value 0.011 mg/ml and LC
90
as 0.060 mg/ml
against 4
th
instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. GC-MS, FTIR,
1
H NMR and
13
C NMR
spectral analysis confirmed the identification of active compound. Conclusion: This work
could grab success in extricating ourselves by emanating a safe eco friendly solution
from the plant Gliricidia sepium. As the source plant is ubiquitous in Kerala zone and
the method of extraction is not any way cumbrous it may be easily manufactured and
launched into the market for the effective application.
Key words: Gliricidia sepium, Culex quinquefasciatus, eicosatrienoic acid, Larvicidal
activity