Brazilian plant might be useful in fighting Zika
Xinhua, February 17, 2016 Adjust font size:
Brazilian researchers had discovered a plant in the northeast of the country that can be used to fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits Zika, dengue and Chikungunya.
The discovery was made by biology students at the State University of Piaui. The study, which began in 2013, aimed to prove the efficiency of the "pinon rojo" in eliminating mosquito larvae.
During the investigation, Aedes aegypti larvae were put on the plant in different concentrations. But when the mosquitoes in the larval stage were placed in contact with the substance, they died two or three days later because of a toxin secreted by the plant, said researchers on Monday.
According to the researchers, it showed that the pinon rojo succeeded in killing the larvae at the same rate as a chemical insecticide.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is behind the Zika epidemic spreading through Latin America, has become widespread in Brazil. Endi