Bioactive Potentials of Petunia Integrifolia (Hook.) Schinz & Thell. Against Culex Quinquefasciatus Larvae, Artemia Salina Nauplii and Poecilia Reticulata Adults

Abstract

Petroleum ether (pet. ether), chloroform (CHCl₃) and methanol (CH₃OH) extracts of Petunia integrifolia (Hook.) Schinz & Thell. Whole plant was subjected to assess cytotoxicity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina L. nauplii, larvicidal activity against the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say larvae and piscicidal activity against the Poecilia reticulata Peters adults. The P. integrifolia extract in pet. ether showed the highest cytotoxic activity against A. salina nauplii by giving the minimum LC₅₀ value of 49.25 parts per million (ppm) at 48 h, while in case of CHCl₃ and CH₃OH extracts, the values were 63.37 and 342.55 ppm, respectively. Against C. quinquefasciatus larvae the three extracts gave LC₅₀ values of 4.92, 5.51 and171.26 ppm, respectively all after 48 h of exposure. Against P. reticulata the LC₅₀ values were 21.70 ppm for pet. ether extract at 48 h, and 31.91 ppm for CHCl₃ extract after 42 h of exposure but CH₃OH extract offered no mortality. According to the intensity of activity, therefore, the extracts could be arranged in the descending order of: pet. ether > CHCl₃ > CH₃OH extracts; and the sensitivity of the test organisms to the extract of P. integrifolia could be arranged in the following descending order: C. quinquefasciatus larvae (in Pet. ether; LC₅₀ = 4.92 ppm) > P. reticulata (in pet ether; LC₅₀ = 21.70 ppm) >A. salina nauplii (in pet. ether; LC₅₀ = 49.25 ppm)

J. Bio-Sci. 31(1): 99-108, 2023