In Vivo Investigation of the Molluscicidal Effect of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) on Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata)

One of the top 100 worst invasive species in the world is the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). Golden apple snails damage rice crops in the Philippines annually for $1.2 billion. GAS also presents a major health danger to people by carrying Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Echinostoma ilocanum, and Schistosoma spp. Applying artificial "instant kill" molluscicides is the simplest way to reduce GAS, however, it poses negative impacts on the environment, non-target species, and human health. The study aims to extract phytochemicals from Blumea balsamifera that are effective in killing invasive snails. The extract was obtained through maceration and was then evaporated through open-dish evaporation, it was then allowed to stand for 3 days. Five treatments were made; 2 control groups: the negative control and positive control; 3 experimental groups: 50000 PPM, 150000 PPM, and 300000 PPM concentration of B. balsamifera extract. The treatments were then distributed through water treatment to the five aquariums with labels containing 10 snails each. The snails were observed for 48 hours; a 24-hour exposure period and a 24-hour recovery period. The commercial molluscicide (Niclosamide), the 150000 PPM, and the 300000 PPM concentration of B. balsamifera extract killed all 10 snails. The 50000 PPM concentration killed 3 snails, and 1 moribund which eventually died, and the other 6 were still alive. All snails in negative control were alive. The 150000 PPM and 300000 PPM concentration was found effective according to the LC50 and LC90 test. Thus, the B. balsamifera extract can be used as a molluscicide.