Effect of rue (Ruta graveolens) essential oil on mortality, development, biochemical and biomarkers of Culiseta longiareolata
Hayette Bouabida, Djemaa Dris
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the essential oil effect of Ruta graveolens used in traditional medicine and cultivated in the Tebessa (Northeast Algeria) and to evaluate its potential larvicidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Culiseta longiareolata (Aitken, 1954). A total of 25 fourth instar larvae of Culiseta longiareolata were exposed to a variety of concentrations (0.5–25 ppm) in laboratory following the standard procedure of the World Health Organization. The effects were examined on the mortality, biometrical, the biochemical composition (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) and the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), gluhatione (GSH) rate of larvae body. The EO yield calculated from the dry matter of the aerial part of the plant was 1.78 ± 0.07% and is found to exhibit insecticidal activity against fourth instar larvae with a concentration–response relationship. Moreover, fourth-instar larvae of Culiseta longiareolata is treated using two lethal concentrations (LC25 and LC50) of essential oil and then individual survivals are subjected to a biometrical and biochemical study. It is found that the compound interferes with the growth in reduce the body volume and the main biochemical contents (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) of different periods are affected. Both concentrations (CL25 and LC50) cause an activation of the detoxification system by an increase in the GST activity and a decrease in the rate of GSH. Therefore, essential oil of a plant (Ruta graveolens) is suggested as botanicals for controlling mosquito larvae.