Larvicidal potential of sea cucumbers from Mauritius

Abstract

The larvicidal property of sea cucumbers collected from Pointes aux Feuilles, Mauritius was assessed. The sea cucumbers were morphologically identified as <em>Holothuria atra </em>(Halodeima)<em> Jaeger 1833</em>, <em>Bohadschia vitiensis</em> Semper 1868, and <em>Holothuria</em> sp. In this study, water and methanol were used for the extraction of the sea cucumber body wall. All extracts showed larvicidal potential against 3^rdintar wild Aedes larvae with the highest toxicity observed in <em>Holothuria atra</em> extract. Chemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of saponins, steroids and terpenoids. The biological activity of the extracts could certainly be attributed to the presence of saponins and glycosides. This study indicates the need for further exploration of the marine organisms as a source of new molecules with larvicidal/insecticidal properties.