Toxicological Study of Essential Oils of <i>Mentha piperita</i> and <i>Citrus sinensis</i> against <i>Aedes aegypti</i> Mosquito Species

Background: Insects like mosquitoes cause various kinds of public-health diseases called vector-borne diseases. One of the prevention efforts is by using repellents and to control the population by using larvicidals. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate essential oils as larvicidals. Methods: EOs of Mentha piperita, Citrus sinensis used for the larvicidal study against Aedes aegypti. 500 ml water and 30 larvae of late 3rd or early 4th instar used to observe mortality rate. The control was set up with the same conditions only with dechlorinated water. Serial dilution of essential oils like 100μL, 500 μL, 1000μL, and 2000 μL used. Results: Peppermint oil at 100 μL observed with an inhibition of 100 ± 0% at 24 hours. 500 μL observed inhibition of 100 ± 0% at 20 hours. 1000μL observed inhibition of 100 ± 0% at 4 hours. 2000 μL observed inhibition of 92.67 ± 2.79% at 1 hour and 100 ± 0% within 4 hours. Orange oil at 100 μL observed with inhibition of 100 ± 0% at 20 hours. 500 μl observed inhibition of 100 ± 0% at 20 hours. 1000μL observed that the inhibition of 83.33 ± 2.360% at 4 hour and 100 ± 0% at 20 hour. 2000 μL observed inhibition of 76.67 ± 2.36% at 1 hour and 100 ± 0% at 4 hour. Conclusions: 100 % inhibition was observed for Peppermint oil at 100 μL at 24 hours, 500 μL at 20 hours, 1000μL at 20 hours and 2000 μL at 4 hours. The % inhibition will increase with the increased concentrations and 500 μL to 1000 μL concentrations show 100 % mortality within the same time duration. While increasing to 2000 μL within 4 hours, 100 % mortality was observed due to high concentrations. Similarly, 100 % inhibition was observed of Orange oil at 100 μL at 20 hours, 500 μL at 20 hours, 1000 μL at 20 hours and 2000 μL at 4 hours. The % inhibition will be increased with increased concentrations. Low concentrations of 100 μL showed a long time duration of up to 20 hours and high concentrations of 2000 μL within 4 hours for complete mortality. Results showed M. piperita and C. sinensis against Aedes aegypti have potential larvicidal. Major Findings: Essential oils of M. piperita and C. sinensis have significant larvicidals against A. aegypti mosquito species.