PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND MOSQUITO LARVICIDAL EFFICACY OF ROOT EXTRACTS OF Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton AGAINST Culex quinquefasciatus Say

Larvicidal efficacy of crude root extracts (0.1 to 0.5% concentrations) of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton (E. cardamomum (L.) Maton) were tested against 1st to 4th instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Cx. quinquefasciatus Say) for a period of 24, 48, and 72 hrs of exposure. Petroleum ether, hexane, and ethyl acetate root extracts with 30, 40, and 50 ppm concentrations each were tested against only 3rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus up to 24, 48, and 72 hrs of exposure. Crude root extract showed great efficacy in larvicidal activity. First instar larvae were most susceptible to crude root extract. Only at 0.3% concentration of crude root extract, first instar larvae showed cent percent mortality after 24 hrs of exposure. Second, third, and fourth instar larvae showed 96.66±3.33%, 96.66±3.33% and 60.00±5.77% mortality respectively at 0.5% concentration of crude root extract. Petroleum ether, hexane, and ethyl acetate root extracts showed LC50 values = 30.47, 42.22, and 58.81 ppm respectively after 72 hrs of exposure. Among tested three solvent root extracts, petroleum ether root extract showed the best result in larvicidal efficacy followed by hexane and ethyl acetate root extracts. Phytochemical analyses of root extracts revealed the presence of several secondary metabolites. Negative control and ethanol treated control experiments did not show any larval mortality. Statistical significance was determined through three ways ANOVA analyses for larvicidal bioassays by crude root extract. Mortality percent of larvae showed significant values in terms of instar, hour, and concentration of crude root extract. In conclusion, crude and petroleum ether root extracts of the plant may be used to control of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito population. Experimented non-target creatures were non responsive to crude as well as petroleum ether root extracts, so its uses will be also eco friendly.