Comparative Molluscicidal Activities of Methanolic and Crude Extracts of Jatropha curcas Leaves against Biomphalaria pfeifferi

The bioassay of the molluscicidal Activities of J. curcas leaves against Biomphalaria pfeifferi was investigated in vitro, using Crude and 70% methanolic extracts in a two-phased rapid and final screening test. The rapid screening of the crude extracts, for the minimal molluscicidal concentration (LC100), of the snails was less active (>500ppm), compared to the methanolic extracts (<500ppm). The final screening, revealed an LC50 and LC100 values of 6 and 30ppm respectively. Further investigation based on exposure, revealed a mortality within 12 hours, which meets WHO standard of less than 24 hours for a potential molluscicide. These results confirmed that J. curcas leaves can be regarded as a potential molluscicide for the control of schistosomiasis and therefore encourage the cultivation of this plant in endemic regions.