ALTERNATIVE LARVICIDES IN ACTION: PHTHALIC AND BORIC ACID AS POTENTIAL GAME-CHANGERS IN VECTOR CONTROL

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a major public health challenge in many tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodologically, dimethyl sulfoxide added in a sample bottle containing equal amount of boric acid and phthalic acid to dissolve it and mixed with deionized water to form a stock solution of 100 μg/ml, with serial dilutions to lower concentrations of 50 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 12 .5 μg/ml and 6.25 μg/ml. The mortality rates were assessed at 24 and 48 hours, revealing a significant time-dependent increase in efficacy. The lethal concentration 50 (lc50) value decreased from greater than 69 μg/ml at 24 hours to 40 μg/ml at 48 hours, i ndicating enhanced effectiveness over prolonged exposure. Mortality rates exhibited a concentration-dependent response, with higher concentrations leading to greater larval mortality. The study highlights the potential of the synnergetic effect of boric and phthalic acid as a promising alternative or complement to conventional larvicides, especially in the context of rising insecticide resistance. The findings suggest that boric and phthalic acid could play a significant role in integrated vector management (IVM) strategies aimed at controlling mosquito populations and reducing the transmission of vector-borne diseases.