Original Articles: 2010 Vol: 2 Issue: 5
Insecticidal Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Annona squamosa
Abstract
The objective of the present study is to investigate Insecticidal activity of ethanolic extract of Annana squamosa. The preliminary phytochemical investigation was carried out to identify the various constituents present in the extract. It was found that the Annana squamosa contain alkaloids, protein, amino acid, carbohydrate, glycosides, phytosterols, tannins and phenolic compounds. The ethanol extract of Annona squamosa produced significant “Knockdown” (KD50 ) in the concentration 1% w/v and 5% w/v tested 23.1 min and 11.4 min for respectively. The mortality(100%) was achieved at 39.6±1.4 and 14.5±1.1min for 1% w/v and 5% w/v concentration respectively. No mortality of the insects was found in any of the controls up to 100hours.The ethanolic Annana squamosa extract showed potent activity against Sitophilus oryzae pest. The finding of new insecticidal activity is of great economic importance both from the agronomic and preventive medicine point of view. The reason for using new natural insecticides is that these are active at highly acceptable levels, biodegradable and do not leave toxic residues while the commonly used phosphorous and chlorinated insecticides contaminate the environment.