"In-vitro" Determination of the Parasiticidal Property of Calabash (Cresentia cujete) Fruit Meat Extract in Exterminating Dog Fleas (Ctenocephalides)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The researchers studied the parasiticidal property of calabash fruit meat extract in inhibiting dog fleas. The researchers used calabash fruit and tested its parasiticidal property to dog fleas. The researchers found out that the highest number of inhibited dog fleas was in sample 6 with 100 grams of pure calabash fruit meat extract. Based on the results, the shortest time was sample 6 (100 grams) that has the fastest effectivity. The researchers utilized the experimental method of research to determine the extent to which variables are related to each in a definite sample.

METHODS

The plants used by the researchers in making the product were fresh. After collecting the fruit, the researchers rinsed the plant in running water. The picked fresh Calabash fruit was cut into halves to collect a sufficient amount of fruit meat for testing. The meat was then boiled and collected the extract of it by straining to separate the extract from the fruit meat and was put in a clear empty plastic bottle. The study was conducted in Dacanlao Gregorio Agoncillo National High School's laboratory.

RESULTS

The first three samples have the same result. Only one flea was inhibited and four fleas were left after applying the extract. Samples 4 and5, meanwhile, have inhibited two fleas. The highest number of inhibited dog fleas is in sample 6, with 100 grams of pure calabash fruit meat extract. The product took effect after 5 minutes and 3 seconds of waiting. Sample 2 and 3 are merely the same, with the time of 4:59 and 4:54. It took 3 minutes and 4 seconds before the fourth sample took effect. The fifth sample was effective after 2 minutes and 32 seconds of waiting. Finally, with the shortest time of duration among the 6 samples, sample 6 (100 grams) had the fastest effectivity.

DISCUSSIONS

There is a relationship between the amounts of each sample set-up to its effectiveness in relation to time in inhibiting dog fleas. The study indicated that the greater amount of calabash fruit meat extract, the more effective it is in inhibiting dog fleas in a short of time.