Heba Fathy Abdel-Ekhalek
Lecturer
Chemical composition and bio-efficacy of agro-waste plant extracts and their potential as bioinsecticides against Culex pipiens mosquitoes
Parasitology International • 2025
Publication Information
Authors
Mohamed M. Baz
a,*
, Mohamed A.M. El-Tabakh
Abeer Mousa Alkhaibari
e
b
, Abdelfattah Selim
, Mohammed H. Alruhaili
f,h
c,*
, Saeed M. Alasmari
, Hattan S. Gattan
Heba F. Abdelkhalek
a
Keywords
Culex pipiens
Docking investigation
GC–MS
HPLC
Larvicidal
Phytochemicals
Journal
Parasitology International
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
104
Issue
Not Available
Pages
Not Available
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Mosquitoes are considered one of the most lethal creatures on the planet and are responsible for millions of
fatalities annually through the transmission of several diseases to humans. Green trash is commonly employed in
agricultural fertilizer manufacturing and microbial bioprocesses for energy production. However, there is limited
information available on the conversion of green waste into biocides. This study investigates the viability of
utilizing green waste as a new biopesticide against Culex pipiens mosquito larvae. The current study found that
plant extracts from Punica granatum (98.4 % mortality), Citrus sinensis (92 % mortality), Brassica oleracea (88 %
mortality), Oryza sativa (81.6 % mortality), and Colocasia esculenta (53.6 % mortality) were very good at killing
Cx. pipiens larvae 24 h post-treatment. The LC
50
values were 314.43, 370.72, 465.59, 666.67, and 1798.03 ppm
for P. granatum, C. sinensis, B. oleracea, O. sativa, and C. esculenta, respectively. All plant extracts, particularly
P. granatum extract (14.93 and 41.87 U/g), showed a significant reduction in acid and alkaline phosphate ac
tivity. Additionally, pomegranate extract showed a significant decrease (90 %) in field larval density, with a
stability of up to five days post-treatment. GC–MS results showed more chemical classes, such as terpenes, esters,
fatty acids, alkanes, and phenolic compounds. HPLC analysis revealed that the analyzed extracts had a high
concentration of phenolic and flavonoid components. Moreover, there are many variations among these plants in
the amount of each compound. The docking interaction showed a simulation of the atomic-level interaction
between a protein and a small molecule through the binding site of target proteins, explaining the most critical
elements influencing the enzyme’s activity or inhibitions. The study’s findings showed that the various phyto
chemicals found in agro-waste plants had high larvicidal activity and provide a safe and efficient substitute to
conventional pesticides for pest management, as well as a potential future in biotechnology.
fatalities annually through the transmission of several diseases to humans. Green trash is commonly employed in
agricultural fertilizer manufacturing and microbial bioprocesses for energy production. However, there is limited
information available on the conversion of green waste into biocides. This study investigates the viability of
utilizing green waste as a new biopesticide against Culex pipiens mosquito larvae. The current study found that
plant extracts from Punica granatum (98.4 % mortality), Citrus sinensis (92 % mortality), Brassica oleracea (88 %
mortality), Oryza sativa (81.6 % mortality), and Colocasia esculenta (53.6 % mortality) were very good at killing
Cx. pipiens larvae 24 h post-treatment. The LC
50
values were 314.43, 370.72, 465.59, 666.67, and 1798.03 ppm
for P. granatum, C. sinensis, B. oleracea, O. sativa, and C. esculenta, respectively. All plant extracts, particularly
P. granatum extract (14.93 and 41.87 U/g), showed a significant reduction in acid and alkaline phosphate ac
tivity. Additionally, pomegranate extract showed a significant decrease (90 %) in field larval density, with a
stability of up to five days post-treatment. GC–MS results showed more chemical classes, such as terpenes, esters,
fatty acids, alkanes, and phenolic compounds. HPLC analysis revealed that the analyzed extracts had a high
concentration of phenolic and flavonoid components. Moreover, there are many variations among these plants in
the amount of each compound. The docking interaction showed a simulation of the atomic-level interaction
between a protein and a small molecule through the binding site of target proteins, explaining the most critical
elements influencing the enzyme’s activity or inhibitions. The study’s findings showed that the various phyto
chemicals found in agro-waste plants had high larvicidal activity and provide a safe and efficient substitute to
conventional pesticides for pest management, as well as a potential future in biotechnology.