Assessing the Larvicidal Properties of Endemic Campeche, Mexico Plant Piper cordoncillo var. apazoteanum (Piperaceae) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes

Simple Summary Mosquitoes can significantly damage to human health by transmitting a wide range of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. These diseases can result in illness, hospitalization, and death. In addition, mosquito bites can cause itching, swelling, and irritation, leading to discomfort and a loss of productivity. In recent years, plant-derived products have gained increased attention as alternative options to synthetic pesticides. Secondary metabolites from endemic plants have been shown to possess unique chemical structures and diverse biological activities, making them valuable resources. Some well-known secondary metabolites from endemic plants include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. These plant-derived products are often biodegradable, have low toxicity to non-target organisms, and can be produced sustainably. Extracting metabolites from endemic plants has several uses, including the development of new insecticides products. The research aims to investigate the mortality effect of essential oil from Piper cordoncillo var. apazoteanum, an endemic plant from Campeche, Mexico, on early second-instar Aedes aegypti larvae; it also aims to identify the volatile compounds present in the fresh leaves of the plant. To test the effectiveness of the essential oil, we followed World Health Organization Standard Procedures. Larvae were observed for 17 consecutive days after treatment to determine the mortality and growth-inhibitory effect exerted by the essential oil. The results showed that the essential oil was effective in controlling mosquito populations. At a concentration of 800 ppm, the oil achieved an effectiveness rate of 70.00 +/- 8.16% after 24 h, increasing to 100.00 +/- 0.01% mortality after 72 h. With a concentration of 400 ppm, the effectiveness was 98.33 +/- 0.17% by the end of the experiment. Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrated that the LC50 value was 61.84 +/- 6.79 ppm, while the LC90 value was 167.20 +/- 11.49 ppm. Essential oil concentrations inhibited the growth of immature insect stages, with concentrations between 800-100 ppm demonstrating very high inhibitory activity, and the lowest concentration of 50 ppm showing high inhibitory activity. The study also identified 24 chemical compounds representing 86.71% of the volatile compound composition of the fresh leaves of P. cordoncillo; the most abundant compounds were Safrole, Caryophyllene oxide, E-Nerolidol, and Calarene epoxide. The method used to extract the volatile compounds, solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME), is a promising alternative to traditional methods that avoids the use of potentially harmful solvents, making it more ecologically friendly and potentially safer for professionals handling the extracted compounds. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of P. cordoncillo essential oil as an effective means of controlling mosquito populations, and provides valuable information on the chemical composition of the plant.Moreover, our study is the first to report on the biological activity and chemical composition of P. cordoncillo worldwide.

Automated summary

Mosquitoes are a significant threat to human health due to their ability to transmit various diseases. Plant-derived products, such as essential oils, offer an alternative and sustainable option for controlling mosquito populations. The essential oil extracted from the endemic plant Piper cordoncillo var. apazoteanum demonstrated effective control of Aedes aegypti larvae, while also providing valuable information on the plant's chemical composition.