The Climbing Performance, Neuromuscular Transmitter (ACHE) Activity, Reproductive Performance and Survival of Drosophila melanogaster Fed Diet with Mangifera indica Cold Aqueous Leaf Extract

Objective: To screen the toxic effect of Mangifera indica aqueous leaf extract in Drosophila melanogaster.

Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out. 20 Adult flies were exposed to 7.5 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg and 100 mg /10 g diet for acute toxicity (168hrs) while 50 flies were exposed to 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg/10 g diet for sub chronic (28 days). All concentrations were prepared in 1000µl of distilled water and replicated three (3) times. Diet+1000µl of Distilled water served as control. Fecundity/developmental toxicity, Climbing and AChE activities were carried out by exposing flies to the sub-chronic concentrations for 5 days.

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids. The acute toxicity test showed 100% mortality at 100 mg/ 10 g diet and 168hrs LC50 was 72.4 mg/10 g diet. The sub chronic toxicity test showed decrease in flies survival along concentration with a least survival at 10 mg/10 g diet. There was a slight reduction and elevation in the Climbing and AChE activities respectively but not statistically significant (p>0.05) compared to control. At 5 mg and 10 mg/10 g diet there was a delay in the development with few emerged flies.

Conclusion: From the Results, it can be concluded that Mangiferaindica aqueous leaf extract may be toxic at high dose from 72.4 mg/10 g diet and might have an adverse effect on the development and survival of flies at sub chronic concentration as low as 2.5 mg/10g diet.