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Talaromyces sp. Ethyl Acetate Crude Extract as Potential Mosquitocide to Control Culex Pipiens Quinquefasciatus

Summary

This research explored using natural compounds from fungi to control disease-spreading mosquitoes. Scientists discovered that extracts from a specific fungus (Talaromyces) and its compound vermistatin effectively kill mosquito larvae. This natural approach could help fight mosquito-borne diseases while avoiding the environmental problems caused by traditional chemical insecticides. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to safer, more environmentally friendly mosquito control products • May help reduce the spread of dangerous diseases like malaria and dengue • Offers an alternative to chemical insecticides that mosquitoes have become resistant to • Could improve public health in mosquito-prone areas • Demonstrates the potential of natural products in solving modern health challenges

Background

Mosquitoes are important vectors for transmitting serious human and animal diseases like malaria and dengue, posing a major public health threat. Vector control through chemical insecticides has led to environmental pollution and increased resistance. Natural biological resources, particularly fungi and their metabolites, are considered efficient alternatives for vector control due to their diverse secondary metabolites and potential for large-scale fermentation.

Objective

To discover new insecticides against Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus by screening fungal extracts from the Global Fungal Extract Library (GFEL) for effective fungal metabolites, isolating active compounds, and validating their larvicidal activities.

Results

Nine fungal extracts caused mortality rates over 50%, with two extracts (58A7 and 101H12) causing 100% mortality at 100 mg/L. The LC50 values were 44.27 mg/L and 31.90 mg/L respectively. Fraction 14 showed high toxicity with an LC50 of 12.13 mg/L. Two compounds were isolated and identified: vermistatin (LC50 = 28.13 mg/L) and dihydrovermistatin (LC50 = 83.87 mg/L), with vermistatin showing significantly higher toxicity.

Conclusion

The study successfully identified Talaromyces sp. extract 101H12 and its active compound vermistatin as promising candidates for mosquito control. The findings provide a foundation for developing novel mosquitocides from fungal sources that could help overcome insecticide resistance issues.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules28186642
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