Larvicidal Activity of Aedes Aegypti from a Simple Preparation of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Nut Shell Extract for Community Level Use

Dengue fever is a major risk to public health due to the recent worldwide spread. Chemical vector control areusually considered, therefore, negative consequences are commonly occurred due to chemical resistance andenvironmental effects. Volume of cashew nut shell is become increasing as by-product after nut processing.This study was aimed to evaluate larvicial activity and toxicity of cashew shell extract with simple preparationfor community use. Fresh cashew nut shell was dried and grinded in powder form. Material was immersed inwater tank for 72 h and ratio of flavor and material and water ratio was 100 g/L (10% W/V). The supernatantof stock solution was diluted to 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50 and 1:100 of larvicidal solution for phenolic contentmeasurement, analysis of alkyl phenols by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and larvicialactivity test. Larvicidal activity was effective at LC50 = 3.8 mg of GAE/ml; LC90 = 11.5 mg of gallic acidequivalent (GAE) /ml. The solution was contained five alkyl phenols, which included saturated cardol,monounsaturated cardol, anacardic acid, diunsaturated cardanol and monounsaturated cardanol. Anacardicacid was major active compound, which was correlated to mass spectra. This larvicidal solution preparationwas simple and cost effectiveness, which may useful in community level especially in cashew cultivatingarea. Field application and public training on this study will be conduct on controlling of mosquito-bornediseases.