ASSESSING THE MOLLUSCICIDAL POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ON BULINUS WRIGHTI, A CARRIER OF BILHARZIA

Abstract

This study assess the molluscicidal potential of various preparations of Zingiber officinale (ginger) against Bulinus wrighti, a freshwater snail vector for schistosomiasis. Snails were exposed to different concentrations of Z. officinale extracts, with mortality recorded at intervals of 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. To assess environmental safety, Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) fish were also exposed to the 24-hour LC90 concentration of the molluscicidal formulations over a 96-hour period to observe potential toxicity to non-target species. Results indicate that molluscicidal efficacy of the plant-derived formulations, particularly those using ethanolic extraction, is both time- and concentration-dependent. The ethanolic extract of Z. officinale oleoresin showed a significant decrease in LC50 from 176.10 mg/L at 24 hours to 38.65 mg/L at 96 hours, highlighting its increased potency with prolonged exposure. These findings confirmed that ethanol-based plant extracts of Z. officinale, showed promising molluscicidal activity against B. wrighti. The absence of observed toxicity in tilapia suggests this extract may offer an environmentally friendly option for controlling schistosomiasis vectors in aquatic environments, supporting their potential use in integrated pest management strategies.