<i>In vitro</i> toxicity effect of <i>Citrus sinensis</i> (Orange) peel extract on two common tick species of cattle in Sokoto

Abstract

In the current study the acaricidal activity of orange peel extract was studied against engorged Amblyomma (A.) variegatum and R. appendiculatus ticks under laboratory condition. For this purpose, the ticks were exposed to five serial dilutions of the aqueous extract of orange peel (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0%), distilled water and Diazintol^® soaked in filter paper, placed in petri dishes with perforated lids and observed for mortality for 72 hours. It was observed that the ticks survived for more than 72 hours in distilled water but did not survive beyond 6 hours in Diazintol^® (Standard acaricide), however, the results indicated the activity of orange peel extract to be concentration, time, as well as species dependent. The extract seemed to be more effective (p < 0.05) against R. appendiculatus causing 100% mortality than on A. variegatum with 78.8% killed. The results from this study showed that orange peel extract offers great potentials as an alternative acaricide that is available, cheap and above all, effective in the control of ticks, farmers could easily bath their animals regularly with aqueous extract of the peel.

Keywords: ticks, acaricide, Sokoto State, Amblyomma variegatum, Diazinto

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp. 87-91