EFEITO LARVICIDA DOS ÓLEOS ESSENCIAIS DAS CASCAS DE Citrus aurantium L. E Citrus aurantifolia SWINGLE COMO INSTRUMENTO DE COMBATE ÀS LARVAS DO MOSQUITO Aedes aegypti NA ILHA DE SÃO LUÍS (MA)

Abstract

This study investigated the larvicidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the epicarps of Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) and Citrus aurantifolia (lime) fruits against Aedes aegypti larvae. The toxicity assessment of the EOs was conducted through bioassay with Artemia salina Leach, while the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti was subsequently investigated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Probit method. The results indicated that the 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) for the toxicity assay were 251.2 mg L-1 for both Citrus aurantium and Citrus aurantifolia, suggesting the non-toxicity of these EOs. In the evaluation of larvicidal activity, significant mortality of Aedes aegypti larvae was observed at concentrations of 10-100 mg L-1. The LC50 values were quantified at 38.2 mg L-1 and 41.7 mg L-1 for Citrus aurantium and Citrus aurantifolia, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the evaluated EOs as larvicidal agents against Aedes aegypti, which may contribute to strategies for controlling this species of mosquito vector of tropical diseases such as dengue.