MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 1

INTRODUCTION

Mosquitoes are common insects in the Philippines because of the country’s

tropical climate which is very conducive for their propagation. These minute organisms

are under Order Diptera and Family Culicidae. These organisms may be small and seem

to be fragile but their ability to spread diseases which may lead to the death of hundreds

or even thousands of people around the world cannot be disregarded.

Approximately, there are 3500 species of mosquitoes under forty-one genera

according to the WHO, 2012.1 However, both local and international studies often focus

to three medically important genera of mosquitoes and these are Culex, Anopheles and

Aedes. This is because these organisms serve as vectors of Japanese Encephalitis,

malaria, dengue, Zika and yellow fever respectively.2

Among the prevalent mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines dengue took

thousands of lives of Filipino people. The Department of Health in their Dengue Disease

Surveillance reported that Region III had a total of 19,642 dengue cases in 2016 and

20,126 in 2017 and 130 of them died. This is second highest dengue cases after NCR

with the cases increased by 2.5% in a year's time. Among the barangays in Central Luzon

Region, barangay Sibul in San Miguel, Bulacan ranked second as the barangay with the

highest cases of dengue manifestation. This probably because there was an abandoned

swimming pool filled constantly with water from the barangay’s natural spring.3

1
Karunamoorthi Kaliyaperumal, Research on Mosquitocidal Properties of Plants: A Call
for Enduring Collaborative Bridge between the Scientific Laboratories and the Society (Saudi Arabia:
OMICS International, 2015), p. 1-5.
2
Kanika Tehri, and Naresh Singh, The role of botanicals as green pesticides in
integrated mosquito management – A review (India: AkiNik Publications, 2014), p. 18-23.
3
“2017 Dengue Morbidity Week 1-48,” Dengue Disease Surveillance Report, accessed December 2, 2017,
https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/2017_Dengue_MW1-MW48.pdf.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 2

The Philippine government did its best by disseminating information intensively

on how to prevent dengue in all forms of media such as TV, radio, tabloids and etc. Some

of these practices are: covering water drums, and water pails at all times; maintaining the

cleanliness of the surroundings; using of mosquito net; wearing of long sleeves and long

pants or by applying mosquito repellant. Nevertheless, in some cases these practices seem

to be not enough to eliminate the morbidity especially in urban areas and other areas with

high temperature. During the former President Benigno Aquino III administration, a

dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia was administered to many elementary students to solve

the problem. Unfortunately, issues and questions regarding the implementations emerged

forcing the DOH to stop it.

Nowadays, Filipinos like in other countries often rely to the application of

synthetic insecticide that contains pyrethroids, organophosphates and organochlorines.

Insecticides remain as the most important element of vector control programmes.4

However, continuous use of these chemicals may no longer be effective in the near future

for mosquitoes also evolve and become resistant to it. These insecticides also destroy the

nontarget fauna leading to environmental and human health concern.5

Due to these problems, scientists all over the world explore for green pesticides to

control insect-borne diseases. Medicinal plants which constitute a segment of the flora in

biodiversity provide raw material for use in all the indigenous systems of medicine.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the population in

developing countries relies on traditional medicine, mostly in the form of plant

4
Kaliyaperumal, Karunamoorthi, and Shanmugavelu, Sabesan, Insecticide Resistance in Insect Vectors of
Disease with Special Reference to Mosquitoes: A Potential Threat to Global Public Health (India, Society of
Chemical Industry, 2012), p. 4-18
5
Tehri and Singh, The role of botanicals as green pesticides in
integrated mosquito management – A review
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 3

derivatives to the extent of about 25%.6 Plant extracts had been subjected to experiments

to determine its potentiality to be an effective larvicide, pupacide and insecticide without

harming the nontarget organisms. Three important compounds make the plant extracts

effective and these are phenolics, terpenoids and alkaloids.7

One of these medically important plants is Catharanthus roseus also known as

Madagascar periwinkle. This plant has various pharmaceutical properties for treating

many ailments for it contains enormous phytochemical constituents.8 A qualitative

analysis of this plant extracts and the results showed the presence of terpenoids,

alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins, steroids, and

glycosides.9 For this reason, the researchers postulate that Catharanthus roseus flower

extract can be a potential mosquitocide.

6
C. Amarasuriyan, K. Raju, and Raja Arumugam, Phyto-Chemical Studies and In vitro Free Radical
Scavenging Activity of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) (India: Directory of Open Access Journals, 2016), p. 1513-
1564.
7
Karunamoorthi, Research on Mosquitocidal Properties of Plants: A Call
for Enduring Collaborative Bridge between the Scientific Laboratories and the Society
8
V. Shoba, Kavisa Ghosh, K. Krishnapriya, and C. Elanchezhiyan, Chemical Composition and Anti-Mosquito
Potential of Catharanthus roseus Leaves Extract against Larvae of Aedes aegypti (India: International
Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 2018), p. 44-51.
9
Shahin Aziz, Koushik Saha, Nasim Sultana, Shamim Ahmed, and Abdullah Al-Mansur, Phytochemical and
elemental screening on leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus: An important medicinal plant of
Bangladesh (Bangladesh: Sadguru Publications, 2014), p. 1328-1336.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 4

Statements of the Problem

Although various studies affirm the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus as

antihelmintic, antifungal, antibacterial and larvicidal, almost no literature can be found

where the plant is used as mosquitocide. As a result, the researchers would like to

determine the mosquitocidal activity of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus

Linn.) petal extracts.

Specifically this study aims to answer the following questions.

1. Can Catharanthus roseus petal extracts be an alternative mosquitocide?

2. What is the effect of increasing the concentration to the mosquitocidal

effect of Catharanthus roseus petal extract?

3. Is there any significant difference in the effectiveness of Catharanthus

roseus petal extracts as mosquitocide at different concentrations at various

time intervals?

4. Is there any significant difference between the effectiveness of

Catharanthus roseus petal extracts and commercialized insecticide?

Hypotheses. The null hypotheses in the study are:

1. The Catharanthus roseus petal extracts won’t be an effective alternative mosquitocide.

2. The increasing concentration has no effect to the mosquitocidal effect of Catharanthus

roseus petal extract.

3. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus petal

extract as mosquitocide at different concentrations at various time interval.

4. There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus

petal extract and commercialized insecticide.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 5

Expected Outcomes. The expected outcomes in the study are:

1. Catharanthus roseus petal extract will be an alternative mosquitocide.

2. The increasing of concentrations will increase the mosquitocide effect of Catharanthus

roseus petal extract.

3. There is a significant difference in the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus petal

extract as mosquitocide at different concentrations at various time interval.

4. There is a significant difference between the effectiveness of Catharanthus roseus

petal extract and commercialized insecticide.

Significance of the study

This study entitled, “Mosquitocidal Activity of Madagascar Periwinkle

(Catharanthus roseus Linn.) Petal Extracts” ought to serve as an eye-opener, a bridge to

awareness and an exemplifying study that will endeavor to capacitate the needs of the

economically-strapped Filipinos and all the other people affected and concern regarding

the worldwide issue. This, most profoundly is a call for action addressing to the higher

commissions and government agencies; the Department of Health and the Department

of Education, most specifically. The researchers aimed to both help and understand this

never-ending conflict that causes a surge of problems to our economy, our society and the

health and safety of the people.

Researchers. This study benefited the researchers for developing new skills in

handling organisms like rearing and observing safety precautions. The researchers

garnered knowledge on the behavior, physiology, and the stages of a life cycle of the

mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Another focus of this that has been accentuated is the fact that
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 6

the concern of this study had served as a role model that each and everyone should know

and understand.

Students. Awareness and knowledge is the best shield to protect oneself from

harm. Through this study, students like the researchers would be able to know that as a

budding person-with care for the community and its people-they will be able to do

something such as spreading the facts and information about the issue, this as the littlest.

Teachers. This will help the mentors of this society to disseminate and innovate

potential makers and scientists that can find the solution to the endless dilemmas.

School. Various programs and a wider range of motion to get everyone in touch

can also be possible through this study; eradicate ignorance, uplift cleanliness and

educate each and every one for a better and safer community.

Local Community. Being one of the toppers of the most cases of dengue among

the province, San Miguel, surely, is in a great havoc. Aside from pushing through safer

environment and cleaner living place, the municipality of San Miguel should take plans

about improving the facilities and supplies for the dengue victims. This paper can speak

loud for the needs of every San Migueleño involved and affected.

Scientific community. With regards to the scientific community, the results of

this study can help in the development of an alternative in the controlling of the dengue

virus vector that will be less toxic compared to other mosquitocides commercially

available.

The government. This research will serve as a wake-up call to the higher

positions; our environment is in great chaos and the health of our people is at stake. This

can also add new information about controlling the dengue virus vector, Aedes aegypti, in
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 7

the society. Through this, actions will be made to reduce the population of the said

mosquitoes that widely manifest the country. The results of this study will be of help in

accumulating ways and solutions in diminishing the dengue cases in our country.

Future researchers. Lastly, this study can be a reference to future researchers.

From this, students who are interested into continuing or conducting a study such as this

can generate a good source and reference from this paper.

Scope and delimitations of the Study

This study was limited to the use of natural Madagascar Perewinkle

(Catharanthus roseus Linn.) petals only as source of extract solution. Flower petals of

Madagascar Periwinkle were gathered from different barangays in San Miguel: Camias,

Salangan, San Juan, San Vicente, Sta. Rita Bata, Sta. Rita Matanda and Tibagan. These

petals were extracted using distilled water and ethanol as extracting solvents. Both

extraction of Madagascar Periwinkle and the actual experimentation took place and were

done at the San Miguel National High School’s SHS-Laboratory San Miguel, Bulacan

under the custody of the research adviser.

Image 1. Map of San Miguel, Bulacan

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 8

METHODOLOGY

Table 1. Summary of Materials

NAME PICTURE FUNCTION

The extract of the
Madagascar Madagascar periwinkle
Periwinkle Petals flower petals was used
to make mosquitocide
The Aedes aegypti
mosquito eggs were
Aedes aegypti cultured to become
mosquito eggs adult mosquitoes and
will serve as subjects to
test in the study.

Canisters were used as

Canister containers for culturing
the Aedes aegypti eggs.

Used as base for the

Ethanol leveling of the
concentrations

Used as extracting
Distilled Water medium for the pure
extract

Used to blend the

Blender Madagascar periwinkle
petals to get extract.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 9

Used to filter pure petal

Cheesecloth
extracts.

Beakers are used as

containers for the
Beaker concentrations before
transferring to spray
bottles.
Used to measure the
Madagascar periwinkle
Graduated Cylinder extracts in making
different
concentrations.

Used as containers
Test Tube and/or measuring
liquids.

Used to stir/mix the

Stirring Rod concentration of
extracts.

Used to transfer the

Funnel extracts to the Spray
Bottles

Used as containers of
the different
Spray Bottle concentrations of
Madagascar periwinkle
petal extracts
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 10

Used to cut holes to the

Cutter
canisters.

Mosquito net is used to

cover the whole set up
Mosquito Net so that adult
mosquitoes won’t be
able to escape.

Used to build the frame

2x2 coco lumber
of the mosquito set up.

Used to build the

1x1 good lumber
mosquito cages.

Used to cut the coco

Saw lumber and good
lumber into pieces.

Used in building the

Hammer and Nails mosquito set up and the
mosquito cages.

Used to sew the

Needle and Thread mosquito net to the

cages and set-up.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 11

Preparation of the Culturing of the Gathering of the

mosquito set up for Aedes aegypti Madagascar
the culturing of mosquitoes. Periwinkle flowers.
mosquitoes.

Formulation of the Preparation of the Washing and air-

ethanolic extract of aqueous extract of drying of the
Madagascar Periwinkle Madagascar Periwinkle Madagascar
flower petals according flower petals.
to concentration. Periwinkle flowers.

Spraying of the
ethanolic extract to
the adult mosquitoes.

Figure 1. Research Process Diagram

First, the researchers prepared the mosquito set-up which served as the

experiment area of the study where the mosquitoes were cultured. Then, the researchers

cultured the Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs bought from the RITM (Research Institute for

Tropical Medicine) until it became adult mosquitoes. After culturing, the researchers

gathered Madagascar periwinkle flower petals around the San Miguel area, air-dried after

being washed. Next, the researchers extracted the petals using blender and distilled water.

The extracted flower petal was then used to formulate ethanolic extracts with different

concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%). Lastly, the researchers sprayed the ethanolic extracts

to the adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and then recorded the number of mosquitoes

affected by different concentrations.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 12

Preparation of the Set-up

Preparation of the 2m
wide, 2m length and Setting up of the 2ft.
2m height set up by 2ft. mosquito
inside an isolated s cages per treatment.
room.

Laying of the eggs at

the same time in Preparation of the
transparent 250mL cannisters with lids
cannisters with 50 mL and small holes.
distilled water.

Figure 2. Preparation of the Set-Up Diagram

Eight yards of mosquito net were bought from the public market of San Miguel

together with thirteen, 2 meters of coco lumber for the building up of the set up. The

cages used for the mosquitoes were built using 2 feet by 2 feet of good lumber and were

sewed with mosquito net.

Two hundred fifty mL of canisters were used for the cultivation of mosquito eggs.

The lids of the canisters were punched with a size of 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches as to feed

the larva. Fifty mL of distilled water were also added that served as the living

environment of the eggs.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 13

Image 2.2. Sewing the

mosquito net to the set-
up
Image 2.1. Image 2.3.
Preparation of the Preparation of the
mosquito set-up mosquito cages

Image 3. Cutting of Image 4. Collecting Image 5. Transferring

holes on the lid of the and sorting of the of the mosquito eggs to
containers mosquito eggs each containers

Image 8. Feeding of
the mosquito larvae
Image 6. Image 7.
Transferring of Culturing of
the containers the mosquitoes
to the cages in the cages
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 14

Image 9. One-
Image 10. Image 11.
day old adult
Preparation of Feeding of the
mosquito
sucrose solution adult
mosquitoes

Preparation for Extraction

Gathering of the Washing of the

flower petals of Washing of the collected petals using
Madagascar collected petals using distilled water.
Periwinkle tap water.
(Catharanthus roseus
Linn.).

Filtering of the
obtained aqueous Preparation of the
extract using cheese aqueous extract with Air-drying of the
cloth and transfering distilled water. flower petals.
to clean container.

Figure 3. Preparation for extraction Diagram

Two hundred grams of Madagascar Periwinkle flower petals were gathered from

different barangays in San Miguel, Bulacan. The petals were washed using tap water and
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 15

then air-dried for 24 hours. After being air-dried, the flower petals were blended with 200

ml distilled water with the ratio of 1:1. The extract was then filtered using cheesecloth to

separate the residue.

Image 12. Gathering Image 13. Separating Image 14. Washing

of Madagascar the petals from the and Straining of
periwinkle petals receptacle Petals

Image 15. Air drying of Image 16. Image 17. Blending of

the Madagascar Weighing of the the Madagascar
Periwinkle flower petals Madagascar Periwinkle flower petals
Periwinkle flower
petals

Image 18. Filtering of

Madagascar Periwinkle
petals using cheesecloth
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 16

Preparation of Ethanolic Extract Solution

Preparation of the 1% Preparation of the 2% Preparation of the 3%

concentration using concentration using concentration using
2.5mL of the aqueous 5mL of the aqueous 7.5mL of the aqueous
extract and 247.5mL extract and 245mL of extract and 242.5mL
of ethanol. ethanol. of ethanol.

Figure 4. Preparation of Ethanolic Extract Solution Diagram

For the preparation of the three different ethanolic extract solutions, 2.5 mL of the

aqueous extract were added to 247.5 mL of ethanol for the 1% concentration. Five mL of

the aqueous extract were added to 245 mL of the ethanol for the 2% concentration. The

3% concentration on the other hand was a combination of 7.5 mL of the aqueous extract

and 242.5 mL of ethanol.

Image 19. Image 20. Image 21. Spray Bottles with

Formulation of Transferring of different concentrations of
ethanolic extract different ethanolic extract
according to concentration of
different extract to bottle
concentrations sprays
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 17

Image 22.1. Spraying of Image 22.2. Spraying Image 22.3. Spraying

ethanolic extract to the of ethanolic extract to of ethanolic extract to
first set-up (1% the second set-up the third set-up (3%
concentration) (2% concentration) concentration)

Image 22.4. Spraying Image 23. Counting

of commercialized the dead mosquitoes
insecticide to the every 3 minutes
control group
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 18

RESULTS

The data presented on this section were gathered during the entire period of the

experimentation. In this chapter, the researchers presented and analyzed the data through

graphs. The results from the experiment were statistically treated to support the

researchers’ claims and conclusions.

The following data were gathered during the research period:

3 Replicates of 1% Concentration of
Petal Extract
No. of Dead Mosquitoes

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
3 minutes 6 minutes 9 minutes 12 minutes 15 minutes
Replicate 1 0 0 0 0 0
Replicate 2 0 0 0 0 0
Replicate 3 0 0 0 0 0

Figure 5. Mosquito Mortality Test of Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract (3 replicates

of 1% concentration) Line Graph

Figure 5 shows the mortality rate of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to

Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract. The extract has almost no effect on the mosquitoes

during the 15-minute experimentation.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 19

3 Replicates of 2% Concentration of Petal Extract

1.2

No. of Dead Mosquitoes

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
3 minutes 6 minutes 9 minutes 12 minutes 15 minutes
Replicate 1 0 0 0 0 1
Replicate 2 0 0 0 1 1
Replicate 3 0 0 0 0 1

Figure 6. Mosquito Mortality Test of Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract (3 replicates

of 2% concentration) Line Graph

Figure 6 shows the mortality rate of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to

Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract. It shows that as the time increases, the extract has

little effect on the mosquitoes during the experimentation.

3 Replicates of 3% Concentration of Petal Extract

4.5
No. of Dead Mosquitoes

4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
3 minutes 6 minutes 9 minutes 12 minutes 15 minutes
Replicate 1 0 0 0 3 2
Replicate 2 0 0 0 2 1
Replicate 3 0 0 0 1 4
Figure 7 shows the mortality rate of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to

Figure 7. Mosquito Mortality Test of Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract

(3 replicates of 3% concentration) Line Graph
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 20

Figure 7 shows the mortality rate of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to Madagascar

Periwinkle Petal Extract. It shows that the extract has slight effect to the Aedes aegypti

mosquitoes during the experimentation.

3 Replicates of Control Group

7
No. of Dead Mosquitoes

6
5
4
3
2
1
0
3 minutes 6 minutes 9 minutes 12 minutes 15 minutes
Replicate 1 0 2 5 4 6
Replicate 2 0 3 5 2 5
Replicate 3 0 2 4 3 5

Figure 8. Mosquito Mortality Test of Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract (3 replicates

of the Control Group) Line Graph

Figure 8 shows the mortality rate of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to

Madagascar Periwinkle Petal Extract. The commercialized insecticide has an effect to the

mosquitoes.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 21

Table 2.1. Raw data for ANOVA testing

Treatment

1% 2%

Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate

1 2 3 1 2 3

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 2 1

0 0 0 1 2 1
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 22

Table 2.2. Raw data for ANOVA testing

Treatment Control

3%

Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate Replicate

1 2 3 1 2 3

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 6 3 2

0 0 0 5 5 4

3 2 1 2 2 3

2 1 4 4 5 5

5 3 5 17 15 14

Table 3. Independent T-test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances for the mortality

rate of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to Madagascar periwinkle petal extracts

5 17

Mean 4 14.5

Variance 2 0.5

Observations 2 2

Pooled Variance 1.25

Hypothesized Mean

Difference 0

df 2
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 23

t Stat -9.391485505

P(T<=t) one-tail 0.00557431

t Critical one-tail 2.91998558

P(T<=t) two-tail 0.01114862

t Critical two-tail 4.30265273

Since the p value of 0.01114862 is less than 0.05, the researchers accept the null

hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. Therefore, there is no significant

difference between the mosquitocidal activity of 3% concentration and control.

Table 4. ANOVA results for the mortality rate of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes due to
Madagascar periwinkle petal extracts
SUMMARY

Groups Count Sum Average Variance

1% Replicate 1 5 0 0 0

1% Replicate 2 5 0 0 0

1% Replicate 3 5 0 0 0

2% Replicate 1 5 1 0.2 0.2

2% Replicate 2 5 2 0.4 0.8

2% Replicate 3 5 1 0.2 0.2

3% Replicate 1 5 5 1 2

3% Replicate 2 5 3 0.6 0.8

3% Replicate 3 5 5 1 3
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 24

Control Replicate

1 5 17 3.4 5.8

Control Replicate

2 5 15 3 4.5

Control Replicate

3 5 14 2.8 3.7

ANOVA

Source of P-

Variation SS df MS F value F crit

Between 9.06E-

Groups 88.85 11 8.077273 4.615584 05 1.99458

Within Groups 84 48 1.75

Total 172.85 59
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 25

DISCUSSION

This research was carried out to know the mosquitocidal activity of Madagascar

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus Linn.) Petal Extracts and find a cheaper yet effective

insecticide that people can use as an alternative to the commercial ones.

According to previous studies,(Aziz, Saga, Sulatana, Ahmed and Al-Mansur) the

flower petal extract of Catharanthus roseus possesses different phytochemical

constituents such as terpenoids alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids,

carbohydrates, saponins, steroids, glycosides, gum and mucilages. The presence of

phenolics, terpenoids and alkaloids indicated the capability of the flower petal extract to

be an effective alternative source of insect repellant.

Mosquitocidal Property of Flower Petal Extract

The results obtained from the Anova testing showed that the periwinkle flower

petal extract has no significant difference depending on the concentration but still vary

according to the percentage of the extract.

The 3% concentration were sprayed and observed every three minutes. For the

first replicate, no mortality rate was recorded for the first nine minutes. Between the

duration of the ninth minute and the twelfth minute, 3 mosquitoes died. Between the

twelfth and the fifteenth minute, 2 mosquitoes died. For the second replicate, the

periwinkle flower petal ethanolic concentration still didn’t take effect. Between nine and

twelve minutes, 2 mosquitoes died while 1 mosquito died between twelve and fifteen
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 26

minutes. Same with the first and second replicate, no death of the mosquitoes has been

recorded but between the ninth and twelfth minute, 1 mosquito died. On the other hand, 4

mosquitoes died between twelve to fifteen minutes.

On the 2% concentration, nothing happened on the mosquitoes for the first twelve

minutes of the exposure to the ethanolic solution. Changes occurred on the twelve-fifteen

minute duration when one mosquito died. The second replicate showcased that for the

first nine minutes, the mosquitoes survived the spray though it was very obvious that

their movements slowed down. Between nine to twelve minutes, 1 mosquito died.

Between twelve to fifteen minutes, another 1 also died. Same with the first replicate, the

third replicate, another one also died. A total of 4 mosquitoes died on the two percent

concentration.

No mosquito died on the 1% concentration but it showed the capacity to weaken

the movements of the mosquitoes.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 27

CONCLUSION

After the study, different conclusions were drawn:

1. Based from the results gathered from the experimentation, there is no significant

difference between the concentration of the periwinkle flower petal ethanolic extract; the

1%, 2% and 3%.

2. There is a significant difference between the control group which is Baygon insect

repellant, a commercial insecticide and the experiment group.

3. Catharanthus roseus flower petal ethanolic extract can be an alternative mosquitocide.

4. Based from the results using t-test, the p value is less than the 0.05, which means to

accept the null hypothesis and reject the alternative hypothesis. Therefore, there is no

significant difference between the mosquitocidal activity of the treatment and the control.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of this investigation, it is hereby recommended that:

1. When extracting the flower petals, it would be better to gather as many flowers as

possible for the periwinkle flower rots easily and yielding a smaller amount of flower

petals can lead to shortage of petals to be extracted.

2. Use higher concentrations of the solution to determine the minimum concentration that

will be effective as mosquitocide.

3. Avoid putting or exposing the mosquito to fans for it would weaken them that can later

result to their mortality.

MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 28

4. Use other breed of mosquitoes for the studies to discover the wider range of the

periwinkle flower petal extract can be of use.

5. Try using other parts of the Madagascar periwinkle plant to have a comparison of what

part is more effective and to have a better navigation of the potential uses of the

Catharanthus roseus Linn.

6. Rear a larger population of mosquitoes for accurate and better results. In qualitative

experimentation, a wider and larger number of subjects can perceive a better and more

accurate results.

7. It would be better if the study would be conducted during summer days for it is hard to

hatch mosquito eggs during rainy days due to lower and colder temperature.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 29

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amarasuriyan, C., Raju, K., and Raja, Arumugam.Phyto-Chemical Studies and In vitro
Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Swietenia mahagoni (L.). India: Directory of
Open Access Journals, 2016.
Aziz, Shahin, Saha, Koushik, Sultana, Nasim, Ahmed, Shamim, and Al-Mansur,
Abdullah.Phytochemical and elemental screening on leaves and flowers of
Catharanthus roseus: An important medicinal plant of Bangladesh.Bangladesh:
Sadguru Publications, 2014.
Kaliyaperumal, Karunamoorthi, and Shanmugavelu, Sabesan. Insecticide Resistance in
Insect Vectors of Disease with Special Reference to Mosquitoes: A Potential
Threat to Global Public Health.India, Society of Chemical Industry, 2012.
Kaliyaperumal, Karunamoorthi.Research on Mosquitocidal Properties of Plants: A Call
for Enduring Collaborative Bridge between the Scientific Laboratories and the
Society. Saudi Arabia: OMICS International, 2015.
Shoba, V., Ghosh, Kavisa, Krishnapriya, K., and Elanchezhiyan C.Chemical
Composition and Anti-Mosquito Potential of Catharanthus roseus Leaves Extract
against Larvae of Aedes aegypti.India: International Journal of Scientific &
Engineering Research, 2018.Tehri Kanika, and Singh Naresh.The role of
botanicals as green pesticides in integrated
mosquito management – A review. India: AkiNik Publications, 2014.
“2017 Dengue Morbidity Week 1-48,” Dengue Disease Surveillance Report, accessed
December2,2017.https://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/2017_Deng
ue_MW1-MW48.pdf.
MOSQUITOCIDAL ACTIVITY OF MADAGASCAR PERIWINKLE 30

Researchers’ Profile

Name Sex Address Age Birthday Contact No.

159 Balite, San

December 02,
Andrea Cruz Female Miguel, 18 09069574012
2000
Bulacan
105 Sitio
Batuhan, Sta.
Gian Marie March 24,
Female Ines, San 17 09496593915
P. Estarez 2001
Miguel,
Bulacan
04 Balukoc st.
Marie Joy B. Sta. Ines, San August 7,
Female 18 09150563154
Juliano Miguel, 2000
Bulacan
739 Tecson St.,
Monique V. San Jose, San
Female 17 June 02, 2001 09152929264
Libunao Miguel,
Bulacan
0667 A.Santos
Ruzzel st. Buliran, San
Male 17 July 26, 2001 n/a
Peralta Miguel,
Bulacan
Fransheska 0226 San Juan,
November 11,
Gene M. Female San Miguel, 18 09978416155
2000
Perez Bulacan
702 Camias,
Erika Denise September 20,
Female San Miguel, 18 09216009837
M. Viñas 2000
Bulacan