MOLLUSCICIDAL ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF ALPINIA ZERUMBET AGAINST THE SNAIL BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA THAT TRANSMITS SCHISTOSOMIASIS

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro molluscicidal activity of the essential oil (EO) extracted from the leaves of Alpinia zerumbet against the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, a vector for schistosomiasis. Methods: The EO was obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves collected in Maranhão, Brazil. Its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The molluscicidal activity was assessed according to WHO protocols, conducting a pilot test and determining the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) using the Probit method. Results: Chemical analysis identified 37 compounds, with p-cymene (43.04%) and eugenol (36.25%) as the major constituents. The EO exhibited molluscicidal activity with an LC₅₀ of 81.69 mg/L, a value below the 100 mg/L threshold established by the WHO to consider a substance active. Conclusion: The essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet demonstrated significant in vitro molluscicidal activity, attributed to its complex chemical composition rich in bioactive compounds. The results suggest its potential as a natural, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative to synthetic molluscicides for controlling the schistosomiasis vector. Further studies to evaluate its efficacy in the field, selectivity, and environmental impact are recommended.