Larvicidal, ovicidal and repellency properties of Citrus aurantifolia (Lemon) peels essential oil against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Mosquito-borne diseases are mostly harmful to children being and it is a public health problem in Myanmar. Laboratory reared Dagon Myothit North strain of Aedes aegypti larvae were used to test larvicidal, ovicidal and repellency properties of Citrus aurantifolia (Lemon) peels essential oil from June 2021 to May 2022 according to WHO. Fresh peels 300 grams from Taikkyi was extracted by stream distillation at 100°C for 3hours and obtained 1.65g of essential oil. Different concentrations of Lemon peels essential oil were prepared freshly in 100ml each of distilled water in 150ml plastic cups. Fifty each Aedes larvae were exposed 24hrs for each replication in different concentrations in laboratory. Acute toxicity and allergenicity tests were done in laboratory according to OECD Guidelines. Repellency test was done by laboratory reared 5-7 days old adult female Aedes mosquitoes with Lemon peels essential oil. Results revealed that the highest dose 0.01g of Lemon peels essential oil produced 100% knockdown within 60minute and 98.8% mortality within 24hrs respectively and 100% ovicidal effect for 4days as well as persistency was observed 98.8 - 100% mortality of larvae for 4 days. The effective lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 values were found to be 0.0017g and 0.0053g of peels essential oil (x=0.05236, P=0.05). There was not found any acute toxicity on mice and allergenicity on the rabbits. 100% protection of Aedes mosquito landing to probe the skin was found 0.04g/ml or 0.000128g/cm2 of essential oil. Repellency activity of complete protection time was observed over 80% protection for 210minutes, over 90% prevention for 150 minutes, and 100% prevention for 120mins. Semi field trial observed that in the day time, it can prevent 3 hours of Aedes mosquito bite on oil applied areas of insect collectors in household. The essential oil is not toxicity, no allergenicity and no irritation of skins of animal. Therefore, the cheap, effective, ecofriendly and degradable lemon Citrus aurantifolia peels essential oil can be used as insecticide and repellent of mosquitoes in public sector.