In vitro evaluation of the activity of Cinnamaldehyde as an inhibitor of the biological cycle of Ctenocephalides felis felis.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro activity of cinnamaldehyde as an inhibitor of the biological cycle of Ctenocephalides felis felis. Tests were carried out with six repetitions containing 10 eggs of C. felis felis together with 0.5g of diet and filter paper discs with area of 23.76 cm² impregnated with different concentrations of cinnamaldehyde (6; 8; 10; 12; 14; 16; 18; 20; 24 and 28 µg.cm^-2) in Petri dishes and incubated in a climate-controlled chamber at 27 ± 1 °C and RH 75 ± 10%, for 30 days. The tests included a placebo group containing the diluent (acetone) and a negative control group, without treatment. At the end of 30 days, the percentage of inhibition of adult emergence/mortality was calculated, as well as the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀. Inhibition of adult emergence greater than 50% was observed from a concentration of 10 µg.cm^-2 and 100% inhibition from a concentration of 14 µg.cm^-2, obtaining LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ results of 8.75 and 13.57 µg.cm^-2, respectively. We concluded that the volatile compound cinnamaldehyde is effective in vitro as an inhibitor of the biological cycle of C. felis felis.