Comparative Larvicidal Efficacy, GC–MS Characterisation, and Integrated Interpretation of Emericella Nidulans Metabolites Against Anopheles Mosquito Larvae

Comparative larvicidal efficacy of chloroform-extracted metabolites of Emericella nidulans with those of conventional chemical larvicides, as well as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterisation of bioactive compounds of E. nidulans, is presented in this work. The chloroform extract showed higher larvicidal activity than the diethyl ether and ethyl acetate extracts, with a 72-hour LC₅₀ of 312 µg/ml, comparable to temephos (LC₅₀ = 287 µg/ml). GC-MS was used to identify 14 secondary metabolites, including phenols, esters, hydrocarbons, and fatty acid derivatives, known for their insecticidal properties. The integrated discussion provides a link among the results obtained using morphological, molecular, and biochemical techniques, confirming E. nidulans as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical larvicides. These results highlight the potential utility of fungal metabolites as sustainable tools in integrated mosquito vector management programmes, especially in malaria-endemic areas where the use of conventional insecticides is hampered by increasing resistance.