Isolation and Identification of Active Phytochemical Profiling and Larvicidal Efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum Extracts against Anopheles gambiae s.s Larvae

The resistance of Anopheles gambiae s.s, a major vector of malaria, to conventional insecticides necessitates the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to isolate and identify the active phytochemical profiling and larvicidal efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum extracts against Anopheles gambiae s.s larvae using appropriate standard techniques. Out of ten phytochemicals screened, seven—including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and flavonoids—were identified. Sixteen fractions were obtained via open column chromatography, and subsequent TLC analysis yielded ten distinct fractions. Larvicidal tests on third- and fourth-instar larvae showed that eight fractions exhibited varying degrees of toxicity, with fraction Eo demonstrating the highest mortality (60%) after 48 hours. FTIR analysis revealed that active fractions contained functional groups associated with glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins. These findings highlight O. gratissimum as a promising candidate for larval vector control.