Larvicidal Potential of Mart. Essential Oil in Controlling the Malaria Vector in the Amazon.

Among major public health problems, malaria stands out as a tropical disease caused by the protozoan, with mosquitoes of the genus serving as its vectors. This disease affects a significant portion of the population, with the highest incidence in the Legal Amazon, a region responsible for 99% of cases. Although vector control strategies, such as the use of chemical insecticides, are commonly employed, mosquito resistance, environmental impacts, and risks to human health are driving the search for natural alternatives, including the application of essential oils. : This study investigates the larvicidal activity of Mart. essential oil against . : The essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The larvicidal assay followed WHO protocols, testing oil concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 µg mL. : Efficacy was evaluated after 24, 48, and 72 h to determine LC, LC, and other parameters. Chemical composition analysis revealed the presence of 40 compounds, primarily terpenes such as tricyclene, β-pinene, limonene, and α-pinene, which possess bioactive properties that contribute to vector control. The larvicidal activity test showed that LC decreased with longer exposure times, indica ting increased efficacy over time. After 72 h, the LC was 14.51 µg mL, classifying the essential oil as highly effective. : Therefore, Mart. essential oil represents a promising natural alternative for malaria vector control.