Toxicological and Biochemical Effects of Some Plant Extracts Against the Adult Brown Garden Snail, Eobania vermiculata under laboratory and field conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of five ethanolic plant extracts against adult stages of the land snail, Eobania vermiculata, compared to the molluscicide metaldehyde under both laboratory and field conditions, using the poison bait technique. The extracts included moringa seeds (Moringa oleifera), hot red pepper/red chili pepper fruit, (Capsicum frutescens), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), and castor beans (Ricinus communis) seed oil. The effect of these substances on certain biochemical indicators of the treated snails was also investigated, as well as the different components of the two most effective extracts were determined using GC-MS. Laboratory results showed that red chili pepper fruit extract was the most toxic, followed by moringa extract, then cinnamon and ginger, while castor beans oil showed the least toxicity. In field trials, the results also confirmed the high efficacy of both red chili pepper and moringa extracts, with moringa extract showing greater efficacy. Biochemical studies showed lower values of the enzymes ALT and AST, as well as increases in total carbohydrate, protein, lipid, glucose, calcium, albumin, and urea content, and that the most effective extracts exhibited significant behavioral changes in the snails, including hyperactivity, increased mucus secretion, and decreased feeding. These results confirmed that moringa seed and red chili pepper fruit extracts represent promising and environmentally friendly alternatives for controlling land snails.

Keywords:

Eobania vermiculata, toxicity; plant extracts, hot red pepper, moringa, metaldehyde.