GC–MS analysis and Molluscicidal Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Fresh Green Leaves of Moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Garlic (Allium sativum) Against Monacha cartusiana and Theba pisana land snails

Ahmed, Ghada Badran; Doheim, Mahmoud; El-Shafey, Samah; Maaroof, Hend; El-Massry, Salem; Al-Maghrebi, Lamiaa

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2025.407253.12101

GC–MS analysis and Molluscicidal Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Fresh Green Leaves of Moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Garlic (Allium sativum) Against Monacha cartusiana and Theba pisana land snails

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Agriculture research centre , plant protection institute

² Agricultural Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

³ Plant Protection Research Institute, Agric. Res. Center Dokki, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/ejchem.2025.407253.12101

Abstract

In the Mediterranean region, particularly in Egypt, the land snails Theba pisana and Monacha cartusiana are significant agricultural pests. This terrestrial snail causes significant economic losses by feeding on a variety of agricultural crops and vegetation. Synthetic chemical pesticides are the main method in terrestrial snail control but rising side effects on nontarget species highlight the critical requirements for new, safer alternatives. Plant-based pesticides are regarded as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides. While many studies have investigated the effects of dried plant leaves, the present work focuses on evaluating the effects of extracts prepared from fresh green leaves of the selected plants. Specifically, ethanolic extracts from fresh green leaves moringa (Moringa oleifera) and garlic (Allium sativum) were evaluated for controlling these pests. Under laboratory conditions, we tested four concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 4%) of each extract against both snail species via poisonous baits. The results showed that both extracts were highly toxic. For T. pisana, the 0.5% moringa extract achieved 100% mortality after 21 days post-treatment, while the same concentration of garlic extract reached 66.6% mortality. At the highest concentration (4%), both extracts caused 100% mortality within just 7 days. M. cartusiana was even more susceptible, with the 0.5% moringa and garlic extracts causing 100% and 73.3% mortality, respectively, after 14 days. Notably, both extracts at the 4% concentration achieved 100% mortality in as little as 3 days. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to identify the chemical components of the extracts. The analysis revealed 18 compounds in the moringa extract and 36 in the garlic extract. Notably, Terpenoids were a key constituent in both, making up 56.3% of the garlic extract and 16.74% of the moringa extract. These findings demonstrate that ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera exhibited more potent than the ethanolic extract of Allium sativum against Theba pisana and Monacha cartusian.

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