INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF CARICA PAPAYA AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI LARVAE

ABSTRACT Mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue fever, continue to pose significant public health challenges globally, with Aedes aegypti as the primary vector. In the search for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides, this study investigates the insecticidal efficacy and phytochemical composition of ethanol leaf extract of Carica papaya against Aedes aegypti larvae. The leaves were collected, air-dried, and extracted using 70% ethanol. Larvicidal bioassays were conducted using varying concentrations (e.g., 100 ppm – 1000 ppm) of the extract, and mortality was observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in larval mortality, with the highest concentration causing up to 90–100% mortality after 72 hours. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were determined to be within effective ranges, confirming the extract's strong larvicidal potential. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, which may be responsible for the observed insecticidal activity. The findings suggest that Carica papaya ethanol leaf extract could serve as a promising botanical larvicide for integrated vector management programs. Further studies on field efficacy, formulation, and non-target safety are recommended.