Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of Citrus hystrix (kaffir lime) ethanolic leaf extract against Aedes aegypti

Mosquitoes are well-known carriers of dengue fever, underscoring their pivotal role in the global dissemination of infectious diseases with significant public health implications.This study employed an eco-conscious approach to combat these vector mosquitoes by assessing the phytochemical composition and the mosquito larvicidal potential of ethanolic leaf extract derived from Citrus hystrix against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti.A total of twenty-six (26) phytochemical constituents were detected from the ethanolic leaf extract of C. hystrix by GCMS.Citronellal (50.72%), 5-methyl-1-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-4-yl]methanol (10.96%), caryophyllene (9.74%), and citronellol (3.87%) were identified as major chemical components followed by phytol (2.86%), citronellol acetate (2.75%), linalool (2.66%), copaene (1.59%), -pinene (1.52%), and -sabinene (1.46%).The mosquito larvicidal assay revealed promising effects of C. hystrix extract against Aedes mosquito larvae, varying efficacy based on the applied concentrations and duration of exposure.Higher extract concentration (2.0%) correlated with a greater mortality rate, while lower concentration (0.5%) exhibited reduced efficacy after 24 hours.Notably, a concentration of 2.0% demonstrated exceptional effectiveness, achieving a remarkable 95% mortality rate of mosquito larvae after 72 hours.Additionally, there is a notable increase in the number of dead mosquito larvae after 24 hours of treatment, further emphasizing the potency of the extract.This present study revealed that the ethanolic leaf extract of C. hystrix can be used as a new source of natural larvicidal agent and as an alternative for synthetic insecticides against Ae.aegypti.