Sesbania sesban and peltophorum africanum as potential molluscicides of plant origin

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the molluscicidal activity of S.sesban and P.africanum and their extracts on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails using the bait formulation technique. This method assured contact between molluscicide and the target snail population with minimal adverse effect on the environment. The effects of the extracts on the snails were determined biochemically by measuring DNA, RNA, glycogen and total protein contents in snails tissues. Among successive extracts and total homogenates of both plants under study, ethanolic extract was found to be the most effective and most toxic for the snails. So the snail hosts of schistosomiasis might be controlled by using ethanolic extract of either S.sesban or P.africanum as potential molluscicides of plant origin inside attractant food pellets [AFP]