Malaria is a serious health problem in South Africa affecting the lives of approximately 4 million people. Resistance to the principal vector, Anopheles arabiensis, has initiated a search for new plant-derived insecticides. Plants were selected on the basis of their reported traditional use. Altogether 381 plant extracts, representing 79 taxa and 37 plant families, were investigated for bioactivity against the larval and adult stages of A. arabiensis. The most promising results were obtained against mosquito larvae, and dose response assays were conducted on four positive extracts to determine the LD50 values. These four plants have been selected for further research aimed at identifying the ingredients responsible for the larvacidal properties
Reference:
Maharaj, R, Gayaram, R, Crouch, N et al. 2006. Bio-evaluation of South African plants for insecticidal properties. CSIR Research and Innovation Conference: 1st CSIR Biennial Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, 27-28 February 2006, pp1
Maharaj, R., Gayaram, R., Crouch, N., Maharaj, V., Pillay, P., Bhagwandin, N., & Folb, P. (2006). Bio-evaluation of South African plants for insecticidal properties. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2714
Maharaj, R, R Gayaram, N Crouch, V Maharaj, P Pillay, N Bhagwandin, and PI Folb. "Bio-evaluation of South African plants for insecticidal properties." (2006): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2714
Maharaj R, Gayaram R, Crouch N, Maharaj V, Pillay P, Bhagwandin N, et al, Bio-evaluation of South African plants for insecticidal properties; 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2714 .