Practical Extraction of Sugar Apple Seeds against Tropical Cattle Ticks

Abstract

The high acaticidal activity of ethanol crude-extract of sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) seeds on tropical cattle ticks (Boophilus microplus) has been reported in our previous papers. The acaricidal activity on larvae was found in column chromatography fractions of 100% toluene; 40%, 60%, 80% ethyl acetate in toluene, and 100% ethyl acetate. The high acaricidal activity on adult ticks was found in fractions of 40%, 60% ethyl acetate in toluene, 100% ethyl acetate, and 5% ethanol in ethyl acetate. This showed that the active substance was dissolved in polar solvents. Therefore, it might be extracted with water for practical use of the crude extract. For the practical extraction of the active compound from sugar apple seeds, different solvents were examined and tested with regard to effect on adult ticks; water extract, boiling water extract, 10% and 20% ethanol extract, and 11.66% white spirit extract. The 10% ethanol extract and boiling water extract showed high acaricidal activity (87% and 88% mortality of the ticks 48 h after dipping, respectively), even with 2 times dilution by water. The mixture of 10% ethanol extract and it s rinsed solution (1:4 W/V, 33%) still showed activity even after 50 days kept in refrigeration. This indicates that the acaricidal substances of sugar apple seeds are dissolved in polar solvents and simplified extraction for practical use in controlling ticks is possible.