Producing Mosquito Larvicidal Product Using Papaya Leaves, Coconut Husk, and Citrus Peels

Abstract

Household and agricultural waste is a huge problem in the country as it is also becoming the breeding ground for mosquito larvae, which are vectors of various diseases. This study aims to test the effectiveness and acceptability level of papaya leaves, coconut husk, and citrus peels as mosquito larvicidal product and as natural alternatives to commercially available ones as the latter contributes inset resistance. Employing a mixed method research design, the researchers used Design and Development Research to create and evaluate the product, while the experimental design to test its efficacy and identify its limitations. The expert criterion sampling was utilized to evaluate the developed larvicidal product in Lopez, Quezon. The ingredients were dried and powdered and macerated using three bases: water, alcohol, and oil, to extract their bioactive compounds. The  efficacy of the larvicide was tested in three sets of water: dirty, semi clean, and clean. The mortality rate, amount of concoction applied, and the duration of exposure of concoction in the experimental testing were also recorded.  Results showed that increasing the amount of concoction over time would increase the mortality rate of mosquito larvae. Specifically, 5 ml concoction in 50 ml dirty water  resulted in 100% mortality rate (10 larvae) after exposure for five hours, making it the most effective treatment condition. The findings revealed that larvicidal products derived from papaya leaves, coconut husk, and citrus peels can serve as an effective and eco-friendly vector control.