Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SIX PLANT LEAVES FOR MALARIA VECTOR CONTROL IN COUFFO DEPARTMENT IN SOUTH-WESTERN REPUBLIC OF BENIN, WEST AFRICA

Eloi Honvoh, Nazaire Aïzoun*, Arlette Adjatin, Sylvestre Codjia, Géorcelin Alowanou, Alda Yémadjè, Daniel Chougourou

Abstract

Mosquito vector control is facing a threat due to the emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. Safe and eco-friendly insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. The current study was aimed at investigating on phytochemical screening of six plant leaves for malaria vector control. The leaves of six plants which were Sida acuta Burm F., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Anacardium occidentale, Allium sativum L., Parkia biglobosa and Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman were collected in their predilection areas in Couffo department in south-western Republic of Benin. Aqueous extracts of leaves of the six plants were done and the phytochemical screening analysis was performed through the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the phytoconstituents. The results showed that the aqueous extract of A. sativum had the highest tenor in total polyphenolic whereas the aqueous extract of E. globulus had the lowest tenor in total polyphenolic. The sample of P. crispum had the highest extraction produce whereas the sample of A. occidentale had the lowest extraction produce. Chemical compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyans, mucilages, coumarins, steroids, saponins which have potential insecticidal activities were present in the dry leaf powder extracts of the almost studied plants. However, the chemical compounds with high toxicity such as cyanogenic derived and O-heterosids were absent in all analyzed samples. Secondary metabolites present in the dry leaf powder extracts of the almost studied plants in the current study have potential insecticidal activities. However, further study is recommended to identify the active ingredient of aqueous extracts of these six plant leaves and their mode of action.

Keywords: Phytochemical screening, malaria control, Anopheles gambiae, Republic of Benin.