Potential of Cladonia Foliacea Extract as an Oral Toxic Insecticide Against Adult Anopheles Gambiae, Malaria Vector in Western Kenya

Muhoro, A. M. and Kosgei, J. J. and Njangiru, I. K. and Rasaki, L. A. and Farkas, E. É. (2024) Potential of Cladonia Foliacea Extract as an Oral Toxic Insecticide Against Adult Anopheles Gambiae, Malaria Vector in Western Kenya. ACTA BOTANICA HUNGARICA, 66 (3-4). pp. 233-250. ISSN 0236-6495

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Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum is primarily transmitted by Anopheles gambiae. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a major public health issue in western Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 90% of malaria deaths. The primary methods of malaria prevention are indoor residual spraying and the use of insecticide-treated nets. These tools face challenges such as mosquito resistance to insecticides as well as their toxic effect to the non-target organism, therefore this study aims to explore the application of lichen secondary metabolites as potential oral biological insecticides by assessing mosquito mortality in varying concentrations. Lichen secondary metabolites were extracted from Cladonia foliacea thalli. Bioassay experiments were conducted on A. gambiae Kisumu strain mosquitoes. Mortality rates were measured after ingesting sugar bait and lichen extracts in different concentrations. Three test replicates and negative control were used, with mortality measured after 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Analysis using three-way analysis of variance with twoway interactions was performed using R program to determine the effect of different lichen extract concentrations, time of exposures and mosquito sex on mortality. Our results showed that the ingestion of C. foliacea extract at 50 mg/ml and a post-exposure period of 24 to 48 hours had a maximum effect on the mortality rate of targeted male and female A. gambiae. No statistical difference was found between male and female mosquitoes in mortality. Our study confirms firstly that the extract of C. foliacea is a promising oral toxic agent against adult malaria vector A. gambiae.

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