Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of Ocimum kilimandscharicum plant extracts after four years of storage against Anopheles gambiae ss

Eliningaya J. Kweka¹*, Hassan M. Nkya², Lucile Lyaruu¹, Epiphania E. Kimaro¹ Beda J. Mwang’onde¹ and Aneth M. Mahande³

¹Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, P.O. Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania.

²Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P. O. Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania.

³Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Mabogini field station, Moshi, Tanzania.

*Corresponding authors. E-mail: pat.kweka@gmail.com .

Accepted 19 August, 2009

   Abstract

Reducing vector-human contact is of priority in breaking the transmission chain of malaria parasites. The use of plant extracts as repellents against malaria vectors have been advocated in different studies. The feeding inhibition of four years old Ocimum kilimandscharicum in liquid paraffin or glycerin was compared with N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) using cage evaluation method. The four years old extracts of O. kilimandscharicum performed similarly when mixed either in glycerine or liquid paraffin. Blood feeding succession was highest in negative control (glycerine/liquid paraffin alone) while low in OK and DEET. Therefore, promotion of plant extracts for commercialization is of priority in rural Tanzania where whole plants are currently used as repellents against malaria vectors.

Key words: Ocimum kilimandscharicum, DEET, Anopheles gambiae s.s, feeding inhibition.