Contact Toxicity and Repellency Study of Pandan Roots (Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb) Extract against Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Mohd Azlan Loh, Mohd Azrai Loh (2018) Contact Toxicity and Repellency Study of Pandan Roots (Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb) Extract against Adult Drosophila Melanogaster. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb or also known as Pandan Wangi is a member of the screwpine family, noted by its distinct scented leaves resembling the smell of fragrant basmati rice, and was held as the vanilla of Southeast Asia. Pandan Wangi was often opted as an alternative form of insect repellent in some household in Southeast Asia. Where, various studies have shown pandan leaves extract exhibited both insecticidal and repellency properties towards certain insects, notably mosquitoes and cockroaches. However, there is a paucity of information on the effect exhibited by root extract. Hence, this study aims to verify the insecticidal and repellency activities of pandan root extract using adult Drosophila melanogaster as the model organism. Dried pandan roots were extracted in methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate solvent by Sohxlet method to yield extracts of differing polarity. The phytochemical constituent of the extract were determined by qualitative screening and quantitative assays. In the Contact Toxicity assay, Drosophila melanogaster were introduce to extract solution of differing concentration by aerosol sprays. The insect mortality rate was determined after 24 hour of exposure to the extract. For the repellency assay, the flies were entrapped into a vessel containing cotton soaked in extract-attractant solution against an attractant control solution. Repellency properties were determined by movement observation of the insects within the vessel in a period of an hour. Results showed that all 3 extract were positive for steroids, phenols and flavonoid with methanol and ethanol extracts yielding equally higher concentrations of total phenolic and flavonoids content as compared to ethyl acetate extracts. The contact toxicity and repellency assay showed that no significant mortality and deterrent effect was observable from the pandan root extract with concentration up to of 1% (w/v).