Clove

ABSTRACTClove (Syzygium aromaticum) is one of the most valuable spices that has been used as food preservatives and also used for the treatment of various medical conditions like dentistry and research confirms it is effective at inhibiting the growth of foodborne pathogens, certain bacteria, and fungi. They are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia and are commonly used as a spice, sold both whole and ground. Japanese researchers have discovered that like Eugenia Caryophyllus (also known as clove oil) contains antioxidant properties which help prevent the cell spoil in time causes malignant disease. Buds are harvested when they are under an inch (less than 2 cm.) long, before they turn pink and open. Clove consist of Eugenol (up to 90%), acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene and vanillin; crategolic acid; tannins etc. A dose of 40 to 60 ppm eugenol was found to induce quick anesthesia with a relatively short time for recovery in young trout. Keyword: Clove, Eugenol, Volatile, Spice, Anesthesia.

The repellent activity of methanolic extract of flower buds (clove) of Syzygium aromaticum Linn. and its different fractions was screened against the dengue fever and yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. at 4% concentration under laboratory conditions using human subject. The extract and main ethyl acetate soluble fractions were the most effective and showed 80% repellency for 4 hours while petroleum ether soluble sub-fraction of latter fraction gave 72% repellency for 4 hours. These samples were 50-60% effective for 9 hours. The results were compared with standard mospel. Furthermore, in the present investigation toxicity of the extract and fractions of clove was determined against 4th instar larvae of Ae. aegypti by using WHO method. The extract, ethyl acetate soluble main fraction and petroleum ether soluble sub-fraction showed mortality with LC50 320, 240 and 160 ppm, respectively after 24 hours of exposure. It was observed that toxicity decreased with the increasing polarity of the fractions. These results were compared with standard neem formulation, biosal showing LC50 = 400 ppm against the same mosquito Ae. aegypti.