Evaluation of Phytochemical Composition, Heavy Metal Profile, and Mosquitocidal Activity of Amanita virosa Lam Ethanolic Extract against Mosquito Vectors

Abstract

This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, heavy metal profile, and mosquitocidal (ovicidal, larvicidal, and adulticidal) activities of Amanita virosa ethanolic extract against Anopheles, Culex,and Aedes aegypti. A. virosa fruiting bodies were collected, authenticated, and subjected to cold ethanol extraction. Phytochemical analysis confirmed presence of high total alkaloid content (150.17 ± 1.53 mg/g). GC-MS identified major compounds including fatty acid esters (linoleic acid ethyl ester, 19.78%; hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, 8.79%), 9,12-octadecadienoyl chloride (17.13%), and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (1.36%). AAS revealed significant heavy metal accumulation, with Cadmium (0.87 mg/kg), Chromium (5.58 mg/kg), and Arsenic (4.29 mg/kg) exceeding FAO/WHO permissible limits. The extract demonstrated moderate ovicidal activity when analysed using probit analyses, with HI₅₀ values ranging from 89.57 ppm (Culex) to 96.44 ppm (Anopheles). Larvicidal activity was weak (LC₅₀ > 90 ppm; maximum mortality 7% at 40 ppm). Adult knockdown was slow (KDT₅₀: 186.3–252.9 minutes), with 24h post-exposure mortality reaching only 12% against Anopheles.