Assessment of larvicidal efficiency of nanoemulsion from Pimpinella anisum L. essential oil on Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

In the current study, the nanoemulsion prepared from the essential oil of Pimpinella anisum was evaluated as an efficient larvicide against the insect disease vector Culex pipiens. The essential oils were distilled from seeds of P. anisum by steam distillation, then the nanoemulsion was prepared using the ultrasonication method. The mean droplet size of the nanoemulsion was 116 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.21. The efficacy of nanoemulsion was assessed against the third instar larvae through several concentrations of 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 ppm. The mortality of larvae was recorded 24h after exposure. The LC50 and LC90 for the nanoemulsion were 40.1 and 55.1 ppm while the LC50 and LC90 for the bulk emulsion were 44.9 and 69.2 ppm, respectively related to P.anisum essential oil. The Larvicidal activity of the formulated nanoemulsion was more toxic than that of the bulk emulsion. The findings of the present study revealed that the nanoemulsion of P. anisum EO can be used as a candidate in the integrated management programs to control C. pipiens.