How to cite:
Malana, K. F., Ruiz, J. A., Camiguing, S. J., & Maines, M. S. (2026). Cytotoxic Evaluation and Larvicidal Efficacy of Tomato Leaf, Garlic, and Pomelo Peel Botanical Extracts Against the Eggplant Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée). Research Journal of Science Innovation, Anthropology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Technology, 1(1), 38–49. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19822751
In-Text Citations
Narrative: Malana et al. (2026)
Parenthetical:
(Malana et al., 2026)
Keith Faereen A. Malana, Shalen Joy A. Camiguing, Jean Abegail B. Ruiz, Midge Seiman F. Maines
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19822751
Abstract
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yields are severely compromised by the eggplant shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis). The widespread reliance on synthetic insecticides induces pest resistance and poses severe environmental and human health risks, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate the larvicidal efficacy and cytotoxicity of a novel botanical insecticide derived from a blend of pomelo peel (Citrus maxima), garlic (Allium sativum), and tomato leaf (Solanum lycopersicum) extracts. Utilizing a completely randomized design, the extracts were tested across different volumetric formulation ratios (pomelo : garlic : tomato). Cytotoxicity was determined through a Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) to establish the LC50, while larvicidal efficacy against L. orbonalis was evaluated over five days. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of bioactive flavonoids and tannins. In the BSLA, the formulation with a 2:5:3 ratio exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (LC50 = 24.17 µg/mL), followed by the equal-part 1:1:1 ratio (LC50 = 47.84 µg/mL). The 5:3:2 formulation (LC50 = 60.25 µg/mL) demonstrated toxicity levels comparable to the synthetic commercial pesticide control (LC50 = 59.90 µg/mL). Furthermore, all botanical blends achieved significantly higher larval mortality rates compared to the negative control (p < 0.001). The findings indicate that the garlic-dominant 2:5:3 botanical formulation provides a highly effective and environmentally viable substitute for conventional pest management. Future research should prioritize field-scale trials, longitudinal stability assessments, and non-target organism evaluations to establish its commercial agricultural viability.
Keywords: Botanical insecticide, Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay, Leucinodes orbonalis, eco-friendly pest control, eggplant shoot and fruit borer
Click dropdown to show references
References
Ali, S. (2024). Comparative efficacy of plant-derived extracts with insecticide against whitefly species. Scientific Reports. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-84958-0
Andaya, P. (2023). The effectiveness of using selected organic spice and pomelo peel extract as an insecticide. Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Abstracts, 5(2). https://ojs.aaresearchindex.com/index.php/AAJMRA/article/view/12512
Bass, C. (2022). The global status of insect resistance to synthetic insecticides. Pest Management Science, 78(2), 389–398. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6682
Benelli, G. (2021). Botanical insecticides: Current status and future prospects. Industrial Crops and Products, 175, 113892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113892
Damalas, C. A. (2020). Farmers’ exposure to pesticides: Toxicity types and ways of prevention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7), 2371. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072371
Dubey, N. (2021). Prospects of botanical pesticides: Field efficacy and challenges. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 128, 421–437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-020-00409-5
Duza, G. (2020). Efficacy of botanical plant extracts against fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis G.) of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4970253
Giuliano, G. (2024). Insecticidal activity of Allium sativum essential oil-based nanoemulsion against Spodoptera littoralis. Insects, 15(7), 476. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/7/476
Habib Siam, M. (2024). Biology and management of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) shoot and fruit borer: A review. Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 22(3), 267–276. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v22i3.76396
Hoesain, M. (2023). Investigating the plant metabolite potential as botanical insecticides against Spodoptera litura. Cogent Food & Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2229580
Imfeld, G. (2022). Insecticide effects on the abundance of springtails and mites in field mesocosms at an agricultural site. Ecotoxicology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36319919/
Isman, M. B. (2020). Botanical insecticides in the twenty-first century—Fulfilling their promise? Annual Review of Entomology, 65, 233–249. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025010
Nabutse, D. (2025). Efficacy of selected botanical extracts against Tuta absoluta on tomato. International Journal of Horticultural Science, 31(1), 31–36. https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/IJHS/article/view/15025
Ngegba, P. (2022). Use of botanical pesticides in agriculture as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. Agriculture, 12(5), 600. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/5/600
Oke, O. (2020). Insecticidal and biochemical activity of essential oil from Citrus sinensis peel. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 168, 104643. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048357520301383
Owen, M. (2023). Reducing pesticide risk through adoption of integrated pest management strategies. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 14(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad002
Pavela, R. (2021). Botanical insecticides and their impacts. Industrial Crops and Products, 171, 113892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113892
Popowski, J. (2024). Glandular trichome rupture in tomato plants as a defense mechanism against insects. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.14507
Regnault-Roger, C. (2022). Essential oils in insect control: Low-risk products in a high-stakes world. Annual Review of Entomology, 57, 405–424. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-120710-100554
Sánchez-Bayo, F. (2021). Worldwide decline of the entomofauna: A review of its drivers. Biological Conservation, 257, 109099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109099
Seni, A. (2024). Pesticidal plant extract effect against major lepidopteran insect pests. Frontiers in Insect Science, 4, 1500542. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2024.1500542/full
Sitorus, B. (2020). Insecticidal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract against insect pests. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 454(1), 012154. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/454/1/012154
Sparks, T. (2020). IRAC: Mode of action classification and insecticide resistance management. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 167, 104587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104587
Subba, B. (2023). Plant-based organic insecticides. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373396771
Visakh, N. (2022). Chemical characterization and insecticidal activities of essential oils from citrus peel waste. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 137, 102163. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221242922200623X
Vol1-Num1-April2026-Art4-Malana.pdf