Gas Chromotography Mass Spectrometric Analysis and Molluscicidal Effect of Crude Saponin from Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.

Crude Saponin extracted from the stem-bark of Balanites aegyptiaca was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and also evaluated for its molluscicidal properties against Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferri under laboratory condition. The aim was to develop an environmentally friendly molluscicide from natural products that could be used in the control of snail intermediary host of schistosomiasis. GC-MS reveals fourteen compounds where in 9-octa-decanoic acid (C19H36O2) had the highest mass peak of 107 and a similarity index of 93% while Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-acetate (C12H14O3) recorded the least mass peak of 35 and a similarity index of 79%. 100% mortality was recorded for all the species at 10 mg/L except for adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Adult form of Bulinus globosus recorded the highest LD50 of 6.4 mg/L while the juvenile form of Biomphalaria pfeifferi had the least LD50 1.4 mg/L. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the LD50 Value among the two species of the snails and the level of development. This study therefore suggests the further study of these compounds on the field to ascertain its effect on non-target organisms.