This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of garlic as the natural larvicide and Abate as the chemical larvicide against mosquito larvae. The effectiveness of the larvicides was determined by the time taken for all the mosquito larvae to be killed. The mosquito larvae were placed in separate plastic cups containing garlic extract and Abate respectively. They were monitored at fixed time intervals and the time taken for all the mosquito larvae to die was recorded. The experiment was repeated with different concentrations of garlic extract and Abate. A two-way ANOVA statistical test showed that Abate is more effective against mosquito larvae at 5% significance level compared to garlic, corresponding to the experimental hypothesis.
Research and Rationale
Mosquitoes originate from the family Culicidae. 13 Like many other insects, they go through a life cycle from egg to larva, pupa and finally adult. They are generally well-known as blood-sucking insects to human and they are responsible for many fatal diseases such as dengue, malaria and yellow fever. Some commonly known genera are Aedes, Culex and Anopheles. Usually, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water like ponds, marshes and swamps and they thrive in warm climates. 9
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In order to control mosquitoes, chemical larvicides are used. One commonly used larvicide, Abate is applied to stagnant water to kill larvae of a wide range of pathogen-carrying vectors (mosquitoes) to hinder their development into adult mosquitoes. 2 Consequently, this prevents disease-carrying mosquitoes from hatching and transmitting the pathogens to human via bites. Although the active ingredient of Abate, temephos is said to be effective against mosquito larvae (affects the nervous system by inhibiting cholinesterase enzyme), it has its downsides.
Research has shown that certain mosquito species (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) have developed resistance for Abate. 4 In addition, rats exposed to temephus showed organic phosphorus poisoning while some fish are vulnerable to temephus. Temephus also harm inverterbates such as shrimps and crabs. Accumulation of temephus may also cause drastic impacts on cholinesterase activity involved in nerve signal transmission. 6
Plant extracts such as those of garlic are potential alternatives to Abate. Crushing garlic releases thiosulfinates which convert into diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide if mixed with water. 10 These two products formed are effective against mosquito larvae. Trials conducted in Bombay have shown that several species of mosquito larvae are susceptible to garlic extracts. Allicin helps to curb malaria by preventing the formation of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium sporozoites to infect host cells. 10 They are effective, safe, environmental-friendly and economical.
The objective of this experiment was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of garlic as the natural larvicide and Abate as the chemical larvicide against mosquito larvae. The results from this experiment indicate that the spread of pathogen-causing diseases by mosquitoes can be curbed by using natural substances such as garlic as well as chemical larvicide like Abate. Garlic is a potential alternative to Abate as it is effective, easily available and eco-friendly. Although it might not be as fast-acting as chemical larvicides, garlic has none of the downsides of Abate such as accumulating in the environment and killing other invertebrates. Thus, more research is being conducted to investigate the efficiency of garlic as a larvicide.
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Experimental hypothesis
There is a significant difference between the effectiveness of garlic and Abate as larvicide. Abate is more effective larvicide compared to garlic.
Null hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of garlic and Abate as larvicide.
Variables
Manipulated variable : Types of substances
Responding variable : Time taken for all the larvae to die
Fixed variables : Number of mosquito larvae, volume of distilled water, room
temperature
Apparatus
100mL measuring cylinder, electronic balance, plastic cups, label stickers, pestle and mortar, disposable droppers, glass rod
Materials
Mosquito larvae, garlic cloves, cinnamon powder, fennel powder, Abate 1. 1G, distilled water
Planning
A trial experiment was conducted to determine which natural substance has the most significant effect on mosquito larvae. The three natural substances used were cinnamon powder, fennel power and garlic cloves. Three labelled plastic cups were used. About 1% of each respective natural substance extracts were made by either dissolving 1g of the powder in 100mL of distilled water or pounding 1g of garlic and then mix with 100mL distilled water. Using a disposable dropper, 5 mosquito larvae were inserted into each cup and they were allowed to sit for 24 hours. The number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours was counted.
(750 words)
Types of natural substances
Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours
Cinnamon
3
Fennel
5
Garlic
0
Table 1: Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours with respect to natural substances
The results imply that garlic showed the most significant effect on mosquito larvae since none of the mosquito larvae was left after 24 hours.
A second trial was carried out to determine the method to measure the effectiveness of garlic and Abate. The first method was to count the number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours while the second was to measure the time taken for all larvae to die. Three concentrations were used for each substance and method.
Substance
Number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours for each concentration
1%
2%
3%
Garlic
0
0
0
Abate
0
0
0
Table 2: Calculating the number of mosquito larvae left after 24 hours
Substance
Time taken for all larvae to die for each concentration (minutes)
1%
2%
3%
Garlic
420
360
120
Abate
90
75
55
Table 3: Measuring the time taken for all larvae to die
The results showed that method 1 was not practical to use since no mosquito larvae is left after 24 hours for both garlic and Abate. Therefore, method 2, which is to measure the time taken for all larvae to die, was used to compare the effectiveness of both substances as larvicides.
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Real Experimental Procedures
1g of garlic clove was weighed using an electronic balance.
The garlic clove was placed in a mortar and it was pounded lightly using the pestle to obtain garlic extract.
100mL distilled water was measured using a measuring cylinder and it was poured into the mortar to form an extract solution of concentration 1%.
The solution was then transferred into a labelled plastic cup.
Using a disposable dropper, five mosquito larvae were transferred into the beaker.
At 5-minutes interval, the number of dead mosquito larvae in the beaker was counted and recorded to measure the time taken for all larvae to die. Dead larvae are those that cannot be induced to move when they are touched with the tip of the dropper.
Steps 1 to 6 are repeated twice to obtain an average time taken.
Steps 1 to 7 are repeated for garlic cloves of 2g, 3g 4g and 5g.
The time taken for all larvae to die for each respective garlic concentration was tabulated.
Steps 1 to 9 were repeated using 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g of Abate 1. 1.
A graph of mean time taken for all larvae to die against concentration of larvicides was plotted.
A two-way ANOVA test was used to analyse the data statistically.
Risk Assessment
The experimental procedure is ranked low-risk. The risk of accidental introduction of mosquito into the environment had been considered and precautions were taken to ensure that pupae which had developed into mosquitoes were not released, but killed in the water. The container containing larvae were closed at all time. Gloves were worn to avoid direct contact with Abate which is toxic. Hands were washed before and after handling garlic extract, Abate and mosquito larvae. After using droppers, they were disposed properly. When the experiment had completed, the solution containing dead mosquito larvae were drained into the laboratory sink.
(1307 words)
Results
Concentrations (%)
Time taken for all mosquito larvae to die (minutes)
Garlic
Abate1. 1G
1
2
3
Mean
1
2
3
Mean
1
360
345
370
358. 3
90
85
90
88. 3
2
300
310
300
303. 3
75
75
70
73. 3
3
120
115
120
118. 3
55
50
60
55. 0
4
100
90
110
100. 0
45
40
40
41. 7
5
80
80
70
76. 7
30
35
35
33. 3
Table 4: Time taken for all larvae to die for different concentrations of garlic and Abate
Figure 1: Graph of mean time taken for mosquito larvae to die with respect to concentrations of larvicides
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Statistical Analysis
Two-way ANOVA test was used to analyse the data to show whether there is a significant difference between the two larvicides. The Columns P-Value (8. 58E-24) is less than the significance level (α = 0. 05). There is a significance difference between the larvicidal properties of Abate and garlic. Abate is a stronger larvicide than garlic. Therefore, the experimental hypothesis is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected.
From the analysis also, the calculated Sample P-value (3. 62E-22) is less than the significance level tested as well (α = 0. 05). This shows that there are statistically significant differences between different concentrations of garlic and Abate. The Interaction P-Value (3. 01E-19) indicates that there was a statistical significant interaction between the larvicides and the concentrations used. Higher concentrations of both larvicides are more effective against the mosquito larvae compared to lower concentrations.
(1548 words)
Substances
Garlic
Abate
Total
0. 01
Count
3
3
6
Sum
1075
265
1340
Average
358. 3333
88. 33333
223. 3333
Variance
158. 3333
8. 333333
21936. 67
0. 02
Count
3
3
6
Sum
910
220
1130
Average
303. 3333
73. 33333
188. 3333
Variance
33. 33333
8. 333333
15886. 67
0. 03
Count
3
3
6
Sum
355
165
520
Average
118. 3333
55
86. 66667
Variance
8. 333333
25
1216. 667
0. 04
Count
3
3
6
Sum
300
125
425
Average
100
41. 66667
70. 83333
Variance
100
8. 333333
1064. 167
0. 05
Count
3
3
6
Sum
230
100
330
Average
76. 66667
33. 33333
55
Variance
33. 33333
8. 333333
580
Total
Count
15
15
Sum
2870
875
Average
191. 3333
58. 33333
Variance
14458. 81
445. 2381
Table 5: Summary of the data
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Source of Variation
SS
df
MS
F
P-value
F crit
Sample
137903. 3
4
34475. 83
880. 234
3. 62E-22
2. 866081
Columns
132667. 5
1
132667. 5
3387. 255
8. 58E-24
4. 351243
Interaction
69970
4
17492. 5
446. 617
3. 01E-19
2. 866081
Within
783. 3333
20
39. 16667
Total
341324. 2
29
Table 6: Calculations for two-way Anova test
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Data Analysis
The two-way ANOVA test revealed that Abate is a stronger larvicide than garlic. The Columns P-value is less than the significance value (α = 0. 05), which indicated that Abate and garlic are significantly different in terms of larvicidal properties. This supports the experimental hypothesis that the effectiveness of Abate is greater than that of garlic.
Table 4 shows that for all Abate concentrations, the mean time taken for all the mosquito larvae to die are shorter compared to that of garlic. For both larvicides, as their concentrations increased, the mean time decreased. From the data in Table 4, it can be evaluated that there is a bigger percentage difference in the mean time taken between garlic and Abate for the first two concentrations (about 75%). For 3%, 4% and 5% concentrations, the percentage differences in mean time range from 54% to 58%. This is illustrated in Figure 1. It clearly suggested that Abate is much more effective than garlic.
Abate is a chemical larvicide while garlic is a natural larvicide. Both contain the active substances which are capable to kill mosquito larvae. Within 24 hours, all mosquito larvae would have died in Abate as well as garlic solutions. It was therefore not practical to calculate the number of live mosquito larvae after 24 hours. Hence, the time taken for the mosquito larvae to die was used as a measure of the substance’s effectiveness. The shorter the time taken, the more effective the compound is. Dead larvae can be identified by touching them with the tip of a rod or dropper. They cannot be induced to move.
Abate contains temephos which is an organophosphate compound. 11 It is able to inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme which is required to stop a nerve impulse after it has crossed the synapse. As a result, there is a continuous stimulation of the nerve, resulting in tremors and uncoordinated movement. 11 Garlic, when crushed and mixed with water, will convert thiosulfinates to diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, 10 both which are organosulfur compounds. They are effective against mosquito larvae.
(2043 words)
The experiment showed that Abate is a more effective larvicide compared to garlic. Both organophosphorus and organosulfur compounds worked against mosquito larvae. This explains that during the trial experiment, after allowing both solutions to sit for 24 hours, all mosquito larvae died. Nevertheless, the experimental results showed that Abate which contains organophosphorus compounds took a shorter time to kill all the mosquito larvae compared to garlic (organosulfur compound), implying that organophosphorus compounds are more effective against mosquito larvae. However, this may also be due to the purity of the active substances. The industrially-produced Abate contain pure temephos, whereas allicin found in garlic is impure. For an active ingredient to work effectively, it has to be extracted and processed to give optimum results.
Although results showed that Abate is a more effective larvicide, it should be noted that Abate is harmful to certain animals such as mice and fish, as well as to some invertebrates. Abate is also liable to accumulate within the natural environment, posing risks to human health. Garlic is an option to replace Abate as it is easily obtainable, cheap and does not pose harm to the environment. Nevertheless, garlic takes a longer time to kill mosquito larvae compared to Abate. Time is a crucial factor when dealing with disease-carrying mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti. Therefore, although garlic might be effective against mosquito larvae, it may not be practical to use such a time-consuming substance to alleviate the problem with mosquito larvae.
(2287 words)
Evaluation
To increase the accuracy, the base of the garlic, together with its skin was removed before the garlic cloves were weighed using an electronic balance. The garlic cloves were pounded lightly using a mortar and pestle to prevent heat from destroying the chemical contents of garlic, which might decrease the effectiveness of garlic. Disposable droppers were used to avoid contamination of substances being tested and in the container used to collect mosquito larvae. Besides, plastic cups were used instead of laboratory glassware in order to prevent contamination as well. Each cup was closed with a perforated cover to ensure that air flows into the cup. The cup was covered as a precaution to prevent the introduction of any mosquito into the environment in case any larvae managed to complete its life cycle.
Results from the trials showed that all mosquito larvae were killed by the larvicides within 24 hours. Therefore, if the number of live mosquito larvae were noted after 24 hours, there would not be any significant differences. As an alternative, the time taken for the mosquito larvae to be killed was measured. It was also impossible to run a stopwatch to measure the time as it would be difficult to estimate when to stop it. Instead, the mosquito larvae were observed every five minutes and any dead larva was noted. Hence, the time measured was estimation as it would be hard to check on the larvae every minute for hours. To increase the precision of results, the experiment was repeated twice to obtain an average time.
It was also impossible to differentiate the types of mosquito larvae. Different larvae species might have different response towards larvicide. However, in this experiment, they were assumed to be of the same species. The larvae were also of different days old. Larvicides might have different effects on larvae of different days old. Besides, the solutions might not contain the exact concentration which was supposed to be tested. This is because garlic juice might not be able to be extracted and dissolve in distilled water completely. Abate granules also did not dissolve completely in distilled water.
(2641 words)
An ethical issue that may be questioned is the accidental introduction of mosquitoes into the environment. In this experiment, mosquito larvae are collected from ponds, which are mosquito breeding grounds. These mosquito larvae are actually prevented from turning into adult mosquitoes, which may transmit certain diseases. Larvae collected are placed in a covered container and are monitored to prevent accidental introduction of mosquitoes in case any larva managed to complete its life cycle.
This investigation could be modified by grinding the garlic cloves and dissolve it in ethanol to form garlic solution of a particular concentration. This would increase the reliability of the results. Besides, mosquito larvae of the same species could be used to ensure that the effects of larvicides on that particular type of mosquito larvae only are determined. This reduces the probability of results occurring by chance. Mosquito larvae of a specific species could be cultured rather than collecting them from a pond. The number of mosquito larvae could also have been increased to obtain a more reliable result.
Conclusion
Chemical larvicide, Abate is significantly more effective than garlic in killing mosquito larvae. This was determined by the notably shorter time taken by Abate to kill all the mosquito larvae than shown by garlic.
(2848 words)
Source Evaluation
Source 2 contains information on agricultural products such as vector control by BASF, the world’s leading chemical company and a corporate group. Hence, it is trustable and reliable.
Source 4 is a journal, so contains sound scientific information. It contains a research note written by authors from several research universities. Therefore, it should be trustable and reliable.
Source 6 is a data sheet on temephos, the active ingredient in Abate. The data sheet is provided by IPCS INCHEM, cooperation between International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCHOS). IPCS INCHEM compiles information regarding management of chemicals and their risks based on data from World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Therefore, this source is reliable and not biased.
Sources 8 and 13 are published books. Therefore, they are credible sources with reliable contents written by notable experts in the respective fields.
Source 10 is a trustable review as it is written by credible experts in the particular area.
Source 12 is a reliable and credible governmental website by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency in regulating pesticides; therefore, all facts and information provided are updated.
Source 14 is guidelines for laboratory and field testing of mosquito larvicides by World Health Organization, so should contain sound scientific information.
