title: A biodegradable device for the controlled release of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae) standardized extract to control Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) larvae.
abstract: The significant increase in dengue, Zika, and chikungunya and the resistance of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to major insecticides emphasize the importance of studying alternatives to control this vector. The aim of this study was to develop a controlled-release device containing Piper nigrum extract and to study its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti.
  Piper nigrum extract was produced by maceration, standardized in piperine, and incorporated into cotton threads, which were inserted into hydrogel cylinders manufactured by the extrusion of carrageenan and carob. The piperine content of the extract and thread reservoirs was quantified by chromatography. The release profile from the device was assessed in aqueous medium and the larvicidal and residual activities of the standardized extract as well as of the controlled-release device were examined in Aedes aegypti larvae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The standardized extract contained 580mg/g of piperine and an LC50 value of 5.35ppm (24h) and the 3 cm thread reservoirs contained 13.83 ± 1.81mg of piperine. The device showed zero-order release of piperine for 16 days. The P. nigrum extract (25ppm) showed maximum residual larvicidal activity for 10 days, decreasing progressively thereafter. The device had a residual larvicidal activity for up to 37 days.
  The device provided controlled release of Piper nigrum extract with residual activity for 37 days. The device is easy to manufacture and may represent an effective alternative for the control of Aedes aegypti larvae in small water containers.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde - Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kauê Muller
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Custódio
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Imunoparasitologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joice Guilherme de
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde - Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moterle
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde - Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karine Modolon
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Zepon
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Imunoparasitologia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josiane Somariva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Prophiro
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde - Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kanis
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003715:Dengue / Q000635:transmission; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D029222:Piper nigrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts