Impact of <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i> Stapf Essential Oil on the Metabolic Profile of <i>Culex pipiens</i> S L: A Vector of West Nile Virus

Abstract

This study assessed the larvicidal efficacy of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil against fourth-instar larvae of Culex pipiens s.l., the most predominant mosquito species in Algeria, particularly in the Setif region. The essential oil, obtained by hydro-distillation from dried aerial parts, yielded 0.9± 0.06% and was chemically characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Analysis revealed 48 constituents, accounting for 99% of the total oil, with α-citral (37.74%) and β-citral (28.31%) as the major components. Larvicidal bioassays showed strong activity, with lethal concentrations estimated at LC25 = 42.88 ppm, LC50 = 59.96 ppm, and LC90 = 117.2 ppm. Furthermore, biochemical analyses revealed reductions in body weight, carbohydrate, and protein contents, concomitant with an increase in lipid levels in the treated larvae. These findings underscore the strong larvicidal activity of C. citratus EO and its promise as an ecofriendly alternative for mosquito control.