Nanoliposomes Containing Carvacrol and Carvacrol-Rich Essential Oils as Effective Mosquitoes Larvicides

The low efficacy of essential oil-based larvicides and their components' volatility have challenged their use as green alternatives. In this study, the larvicidal effect of essential oils of Satureja khuzestanica and Zataria multiflora with their ingredients, carvacrol, was first investigated against two medically important mosquitoes. After confirming each sample's successful loading in the nanoliposomes with a vesicle size of 110 +/- 8, 70 +/- 5, and 76 +/- 5 nm, their larvicidal effects were also evaluated. These effects of nanoliposomal forms were greater than that of non-formulated states. The best-observed LC50 against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were related to nanoliposomes containing essential oils of Z. multiflora (10.88 mu g/mL) and S. khuzestanica (16.74 mu g/mL). These samples could be used as green larvicides for investigation against other mosquito populations.

Automated summary

The larvicidal effects of essential oils of Satureja khuzestanica and Zataria multiflora, as well as their components, carvacrol, were investigated in this study. The use of nanoliposomal forms yielded better results compared to non-formulated states. These findings suggest that these samples could be potential green larvicides for other mosquito populations.