Role of Plant Biopesticides in Managing Vectors of Communicable Diseases

Abstract

Some insects and arthropods frequently pose a serious risk to human health. They can cause painful bites and transmit some pathogens causing serious diseases such as malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever, lymphatic fi lariasis, Lyme disease, river blindness, etc. Since the protective vaccines have not yet been available for most of these vector-borne diseases, vector controls are therefore the main strategies to prevent the diseases. Such plant-based products have been used in the control of insects of public health importance for centuries. However, the development and use of phytochemicals attracted considerable attention from researchers and industrial concerns in the last quarter of the century. Examples of major plant-based products used in pest control are pyrethrins, neem constituents, as well as many plant volatile essential oils for repelling hematophagous insects affording personal protection of humans from biting arthropods and noxious insects. The public has the perception that plantbased and other natural products are environmentally friendly and safer to use for vector control or apply to human skin as personal protectants than synthetic chemicals. Considerable advances have then been made in formulating phytochemicals to increase their effi cacy, providing protection and acceptability in public health. In this chapter, we will dwell upon the research and development efforts leading to the development and use of plant essential oils for personal protection from anthropophilic insects and arthropods as well as the development and application of phytochemicals for the control of adult and preimaginal stages of disease vectors.

Study of atrazine adsorption kinetics by using an activated carbon synthesised from water hyacinth

“…Since Thailand is an agricultural country where exports various kinds of agricultural products, so there is the usage of the pesticides for producing and controlling high-quantity and quality of agricultural products. The Office of Agricultural Economics of Thailand reports that, during 2010-2015, Thailand imports the large amount with high value of pesticides [1] and one of the most imported pesticide is atrazine, (C8H14ClN5) which is the organochloride chemical [2]. Atrazine is used to control weeds in farms and crop land sand for example corn, sugarcane, or millet farm.…”

Study of atrazine removal by an adsorbent synthesised by water hyacinth

“…Thailand imports the large amount with high value of herbicides between 2010-2015 [1]. Atrazine, (C8H14ClN5) is the Thailand top ten imported organochloride herbicide [2], is used to control weeds in farms and crop land sand for example corn, sugarcane, or millet farm. Due to their extensive usage and its long half life about 13-261 days and more than 200 days in soil and water resources, respectively [3].…”

Current status of insecticide susceptibility in the brown planthopper in Cambodia

“…In the recent years, a large amount of pesticides has been imported, for instance, 172,000 tons in Thailand in 2013, 116,582 tons in Vietnam in 2014, and 738,545 tons in Cambodia in 2015. [3][4][5] In Cambodia, farmers experiencing severe crop damage from the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)), one of the most harmful insect pests on rice, tend to spray pesticides during the outbreak 6) and apply insecticide even when other insect pests were identified in the rice fields. 7) Pesticide use has therefore become one of the most important methods of pest control for rice farmers in Cambodia.…”