Environmentally Safe Photodynamic Control of Aedes aegypti Using Sunlight-Activated Synthetic Curcumin: Photodegradation, Aquatic Ecotoxicity, and Field Trial

Author(s):Show less -

Lima, Alessandra R. ; Silva, Cicera M. ; da Silva, Lucas M. ; Machulek, Amilcar ; de Souza, Antonio P. ; de Oliveira, Kleber T. ; Souza, Larissa M. ; Inada, Natalia M. ; Bagnato, Vanderlei S. ; Oliveira, Samuel L. ; Caires, Anderson R. L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Molecules; v. 27, n. 17, p. 13-pg., 2022-09-01.

Abstract

This study reports curcumin as an efficient photolarvicide against Aedes aegypti larvae under natural light illumination. Larval mortality and pupal formation were monitored daily for 21 days under simulated field conditions. In a sucrose-containing formulation, a lethal time 50 (LT50) of 3 days was found using curcumin at 4.6 mg L-1. This formulation promoted no larval toxicity in the absence of illumination, and sucrose alone did not induce larval phototoxicity. The photodegradation byproducts (intermediates) of curcumin were determined and the photodegradation mechanisms proposed. Intermediates with m/z 194, 278, and 370 were found and characterized using LC-MS. The ecotoxicity of the byproducts on non-target organisms (Daphnia, fish, and green algae) indicates that the intermediates do not exhibit any destructive potential for aquatic organisms. The results of photodegradation and ecotoxicity suggest that curcumin is environmentally safe for non-target organisms and, therefore, can be considered for population control of Ae. aegypti. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/27176-8 - Asymmetric photocatalysis applied to the synthesis of Brivaracetam: synthetic approaches employing enabling technologies for chemical synthesis
• Grantee: Kleber Thiago de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC