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EFFECTIVENESS OF PAPAYA LEAVES EXTRACT AS PESTICIDES

FOR LARVAE

Researchers:

Glen Zildian C. Nagamos

John Neil Raphael P. Paayas

Swetzy Gale G. Pader

Queenie Pearl D. Balucan

Psyra L. Ociones

Karylle V. Bersabal

Chris Jane N. Zamayla

12- St. Paul

January 2024
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Pesticides are one of the most important tools for the farmers and

for the gardeners. Due to the amount of pests in the surroundings,

pesticides are essential tools for gardening. The researchers have decided

to use papaya leaves, particularly, the extracts to use as a natural

pesticide against these pests.

The papaya (Carica papaya), is a widely grown and significant fruit

tree in tropical and subtropical regions. Worldwide, people eat the fruit

both raw and cooked, as well as in processed foods (Teixeira da Silva et

al., 2007). Moreover, it is a promising source of natural insecticides that

are thought to be safer than chemical alternatives. Accordingly, it leaves

little to no trace on environmental components because of the existence

of these chemicals in it and the easy production methods for extracting

them (Gupta et al., 2011).

An active component found in papaya leaves known as papain, is

well-known for its ability to suppress caterpillars and sucking pests

(Rama, 2021). Additionally, papaya latex yields chemicals that potentially

eradicate unwanted organisms. Furthermore, the latex from papayas can

shield plants from noxious organisms such as a food repellent, a contact

toxin, or something that wrecks an insect's physiology (Karo-Karo et al.,

2022).

Papain extract from the leaves has the potential to be an efficient

natural pesticide by controlling worms and other pests, as shown by a

study by Wijanarko et al., (2017). As a contact poison that can prevent

pests from transforming into their intended form and successfully

controlling armyworms on mustard greens, papain has been identified by

the research as a crucial component of papaya leaf extract. This shows

that the application of papain as a pesticide has been investigated,

especially in relation to natural pest management.

Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored on the plant defense theory by (Dalling et

al., 2020). This provides a powerful framework for understanding the

ecological and evolutionary dynamics of interactions between plants and

their antagonists, the distribution of plant traits across communities,

and, consequently, the distributions of plant species. Predictions of plant

defense theory have highlighted how resource availability mediates

investment in defenses, the determinants of the production of different

suits of protective chemicals, conditions favoring constitutive versus

induced defenses, and which tissues should be most strongly defended

(Stamp 2003). Plant defense theory centers mostly on the life-history

and defense traits expressed by juvenile and mature plants and focuses

primarily on the most conspicuous of plant organs: leaves K. Murugan et

al. in Parasitology Research (2014). The theory was carried out to

establish the properties of Carica papaya leaf extract and bacterial

insecticide, spinosad on larvicidal and pupicidal activity against the

chikungunya vector.

In the theory of Singh et al., (2014), the phytochemical

constituents in Carica papaya L, such as alkaloid carpaines, tannins,

and flavonoids, have a lethal effect on larvae. Alkaloid carpaines

compounds have nervous toxins that kill Aedes aegypti larvae, however,

they are safe in humans. Also, the saponin compounds reduce the

digestive tract wall stress-causing larval death.

Based on the theory of Julaily (2013), papaya gum contains a

group of cysteine protease enzymes such as papain and kimopapain.

Papaya sap also produces compounds such as alkaloids, terpenoids,

flavonoids and nonprotein amino acids which are very toxic to plant-

eating insects. The presence of chemical compounds in the papaya plant

can kill the pest.

In the theory of Yenie (2013), the manufacture of organic pesticides

using extraction methods from the waste of papaya leaves and garlic

bulbs shows that the higher the concentration of papaya leaf extract and
garlic tubers the higher the level of test pest mortality, where the

concentration of most killed mosquito larvae is at a concentration of

3000 ppm solution with 95% mortality of test animals for ethanol extract

and 97.5% for methanol extract. The effect of various doses of papaya

leaf solution (Carica papaya (L)) on the mortality of aphids (Aphis

craccivora) on long bean plants (Vigna sinensis L) showed that papaya

leaf solution was effective in killing aphids caused by papain and

flavonoid compounds. Papain substance works actively as stomach

poison that enters the body or responds to aphids, thereby reducing the

eating activity of aphids, whereas flavonoids work as nerve poisons that

can cause aphids to experience decreased motion, flavonoids can also

cause wilting of the nerves and damage to spiracles which results in

insects not breathing and eventually dying.

As reported by EL Moussaoui, et al. (2001) papaya leaves contain

several alkaloids with important pharmaceutical and industrial

applications. The extract has anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-

inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and in addition to this, it has

nephro-protective and hepato-protective activity against toxins,

hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. It also has anti-sickling

properties in sickle cell disease. The chemical content of papaya leaves

makes it useful in the treatment of conditions like diabetes, heart

diseases, stroke etc.

 In this study, the researchers tried to depict the effectiveness of

papaya leaves extract as insecticide against larvae, the mortality rate of

the Daphnis Nerii larva and papaya extract is feasible as an insecticide.

Besides, other plants that can be insecticide, with the same constituents

and toxicity study reports of Papaya leaves extracts or other preparations

were also extensively reviewed in this paper.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of this study will use the Input Process

Output (IPO) model. Carica papaya leaves extract and clean tap water

will serve as this study’s input.

Papaya leaves have shown insecticidal, fungicidal, and

microbicidal properties (Gupta, 2020). Furthermore, papaya contains

alkaloids such as papain, nicotine, kontinin, myosmin, pseudocarpain,

and karpain that help give the leaves its bitterness which in return will

work as a pesticide (Zulyusri, 2023).

The process of this study is the extraction of papaya leaves using a

blender and an amount of water and strained through a piece of cloth.

This is to filter out the extract from the solids left from the blending.

Fermentation will be utilized in order to maximize the effectiveness of the

papain, which is the main active ingredient in the papaya leaf that gives

it its pesticidal qualities.

 The output of this study is papaya leaf extract, which can be

sprayed onto a plant and coating it with the extract. This papaya leaf

extract is fully organic which can help in maintaining the quality of the

vegetation (Saba, 2003). Its effectiveness will be tested on the Daphnis

nerii larva.

The concepts are shown on the schematic diagram in Figure 1. The

findings are used to discern whether the papaya leaf extract is feasible as

a pesticide against Daphnis nerii larva. This will provide an organic

alternative towards the extermination of the larva in plants, as opposed

to chemical-based pesticides which will be beneficial towards the

environment.

Schematic Diagram

Input Process
Output
Papaya
Leaves Fermentati
on Pesticides
Extract
Blending
Water Method

Figure 1.2. Schematic Diagram that shows the Input, Process, and Out
Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine if there is an effectiveness of papaya

leaves extract against larvae.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. How does the efficacy of papaya leaves extract compare to chemical

pesticides in controlling larvae populations?

2. What is the mortality rate of the Daphnis Nerii larva?

3. Is papaya extract feasible as an insecticide?

Significance of the Study

This study is made and conducted with the aim of providing

information that will benefit the following groups and individuals:

Home Gardeners and Family Households. This study will help

these groups of people in making a natural and organic pesticide at

home using simple ingredients , while also being aware of its purpose

and precaution.

Papaya Plant Owners. This research will give them insights into

their plant properties and how they can maximize their plants for other

potential benefits.
 Pesticide Manufacturers. This will give them ideas on creating

more natural and organic pesticides that are also effective.

Future Researchers. This study will help them in future research

that connects to (Carica Papaya) leaves about their nature, uses and

more pesticidal properties.

Scope and Limitations

This study is conducted primarily to produce a pesticide that

would lessen the effect of damage that the larvae would possibly bring to

the plants. The Carica Papaya is a herbaceous succulent plant that is

more known as “pawpaw”. This belongs to the family of Caricaceae. This

plant is the most popular source of papain. The leaves of Carica Papaya

have lobed leaves with leaf stalks measuring up to 1 m long that are

alternately arranged on the stem.

The product is only intended as an alternative pesticide to

minimize the damage to the plants and will focus only on killing the

larvae. The researchers will make sure that when applying the alternative

pesticides, the plants that have a larva on them won’t die. This study is

limited to the larvae which will be utilized in a controlled experiment. The

researchers will use two experimental boxes which contain two larvae

each to see how effective the organic pesticides are.

 This study will utilize the experimental research design. With this,

the researchers will conduct a test and observation to examine its

effectiveness. To be tested, the product will undergo first through the

extraction of papaya leaves using the blender and go through the

fermentation process. The fermentation will last for fourteen days as it

will make the papaya extract more effective since the papaya leaves

contain an active ingredient called “Papain”, which is known to effectively

control caterpillars and sucking pests. After completing the process, the

researchers will test the product on the captured larvae and observe to

see if the pests reacted to the product.

Definition of Terms

To better understand this study, the following terms are defined

operationally and conceptually.

Blending Method. The most basic and straight-forward mixing method

used for combining wet and dry ingredients to become absolutely

uniform in nature.

Fermentation. The process of breaking down sugar molecules to elicit

chemical reaction.

Organic. Materials that usually come from natural sources and are

minimally processed.
Papaya. Taxonomic name is Carica Papaya, which is a succulent fruit of

a large plant of the family Caricaceae.

Papain. An enzyme found in the white fluid (latex) that occurs in papaya

leaves. It is known to effectively control caterpillars and sucking pets.

Pest. A destructive insect or other animal that harms or destroys garden

plants and crops.

Pesticides. To kill, repel, or control forms of animal and plant life

considered to damage or be a nuisance in agriculture and domestic life.

References

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