PRIMARY STUDY

Essential oil of Piper purusanum C.DC (Piperaceae) and its main sesquiterpenes: biodefensives against malaria and dengue vectors, without lethal effect on non-target aquatic fauna

Key Findings:  Piper purusanum essential oil containing β-caryophyllene (>57%) and α-humulene (>14%) inhibited egg hatching, caused larval death, inhibited the action of acetylcholinesterase while showing no lethal effect on non-target aquatic animals (e.g., Toxorhynchites splendens, Anisops bouvieri, Gambusia affinis, and Diplonychus indicus).