Extraction of Solanine from Eggplant Leaves (Solanum Melongena) for Potential Insect Repellent

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Aphids are also commonly called plant lice or green flies. Although aphids are relatively small, they can usually be seen by our naked eye. Flowers and fruit can become distorted or deformed due to feeding aphids. Some aphid species cause galls to form on roots or leaves. Aphids may transmit viruses between plants and also attract other insects that prey on them. For aphids that cause leaves to curl, once aphid numbers are high and they have begun to distort leaves, it is often difficult to control these pests, because of the curled leaves shelter aphids from insecticides and natural enemies. The solanine can repel the aphids because solanine is a glycoalkaloid poison found in species of the nightshade family. It can occur naturally in any part of the plant, including the leaves, fruit, and tubers. However, the researcher only used leaves, and it is one of the plant's natural defences.

METHODS

Five hundred grams of eggplant leaves were chopped then were put in an empty, clean basin with 250 ml of water. The researcher used water that has no chlorine and 250 ml of molasses. The mixture was set aside for two weeks before squeezing them and transferred to an empty bottle. Three empty liter bottles were then filled with water, and leaf extracts were added to each with the measurements of one, five, and ten tablespoons respectively.

RESULTS

The eggplant leaves extract almost lessened the amounts of aphids in chili and longed bean plants for 50%. Also, the eggplant leaves extract produced a positive reactivity to the organisms.

DISCUSSIONS

Therefore, the following are recommended:

a) pure extract of eggplant leaves should be processed and made as an insecticide for other plants;

b) other test organisms may be used to investigate further the effectiveness of the eggplant leaves extract;

c) instead of using a high-cost insecticide;

d) to further evaluate their composition on how we could make another related study;

e) to conduct related studies of varied preparation of eggplant leaves extract to combat the aphids in chili and long bean plants; and

f) to conduct a related study that will make use of the extract of Eggplant leaves to lessen the number of aphids in chili and long bean plants.