Faisal Hafeez

Bio: Faisal Hafeez is an academic researcher from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Aedes albopictus. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 41 publications receiving 414 citations.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of citrus limonoids against Aedes albopictus.

Abstract: Citrus limonoids, nomilin and limonin, were used for larvicidal assay against Aedes albopictus utilizing WHO methodology. LC50s were 305.83, 176.08, and 136.07 μM for nomilin and 850.09, 600.72, and 407.09 μM for limonin after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. LT50 assays exhibited that Savage citrange oil was the best at all concentrations (400, 500, 600, and 700 ppm) while Fairchild and Cassa grande were the weakest oils at 400 ppm, but at 500, 600, and 700 ppm, Carrizo citrange remained at the bottom with highest LT50 values. Results exhibited that nomilin was more toxic than limonin and therefore provided a clear indication that limonoids in sample oils influenced the potential of respective oil. Out of the 10 tested citrus seed oils, Savage citrange (Citrus sinensis) comprised the maximum amount of limonin (2823.59 μg/ml) followed by grapefruit, Sacaton citrumelo, and Jaffa. When this oil (Savage citrange) was evaluated for bioassay against larvae of Ae. albopictus, it reflected complete dominance (LC50 and LT50) as compared to rest of the oils. Although Jaffa (Citrus paradisi) was found to contain nomilin and limonin, it was found less effective as compared to Savage citrange. The oils from Minneola and Chinese lime did not contain limonin and nomilin, and were therefore weak in terms of LC50 values. Presence of limonin and nomilin in plant products is therefore a significant indicator of the pest control that needs to be exploited in other plants as well.

Potential of citrus seed extracts against dengue fever mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Culicidae: Diptera).

Abstract: Citrus seeds and peel contain certain compounds with varied level of bitterness. These compounds have been tested against insects and proved to be effective. The present study was therefore carried out to test the citrus seed extracts from 10 varieties against 4 th instar larvae of dengue fever mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse). The results indicate that the extracts from rough lemon and lemon were more effective as larvicides with lowest LC50 (119.993 and 137.258 ppm respectively, after 24h of exposure and 108.85 and 119.853 ppm respectively, after 48h of exposure) and LT50 values (2.51 and 4.91h, respectively). Seed extracts from remaining citrus varieties were less active at lower doses; however at higher doses these were biologically active against Ae. albopictus. Our study has suggested that citrus-seed extract are environment friendly and can be used for managing Ae. albopictus larvae.

Farmers' perceptions of insect pests and pest management practices in Bt cotton in the Punjab, Pakistan.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to (1) examine the factors involved in the adoption or non-adoption of Bt cotton, (2) identify sources of Bt cotton seed acquisition, and (3) evaluate farmers' knowledge and perception of insect pests incidence and management practices in Bt cotton in the Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 150 farmers growing Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac protein were interviewed in the main cotton-growing districts of the Punjab province. The main reasons for farmers adopting Bt cotton were to: (1) reduce bollworm damage; (2) reduce pesticide requirements; (3) obtain higher yield and profit; and (4) reduce labour. Most farmers were not initially aware of Bt cotton's effectiveness against cotton bollworms and then grew it on a trial basis. The main sources of Bt cotton seed were the local market and seed companies while many farmers used home-retained Bt cotton seed, much as they do with conventional cotton. Our survey showed that farmers were aware of the major insect pests of cotton and reported a low ...

Citrus waste-derived essential oils: alternative larvicides for dengue fever mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Culicidae: Diptera).

Abstract: Plant extracts are currently studied more and more because of their role in plant protection as well as in urban entomology. Investigations were made to assess the larvicidal potential of citrus waste-derived essential oils at different concentrations (300ppm, 400ppm, 500ppm, 600ppm, 700ppm and 800ppm) against early 4 th instar larvae of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), a competent mosquito in dengue positive area. Results reveal that the seed and peel extracts of lemon (Citrus limon L.) proved to be the most effective larvicides with minimum LC50 values after 24 hours (395.59 ppm for seed; 468.69 ppm for peel) and 48 h (247.19 ppm for seed; 392.20 ppm for peel) of exposure, and thus have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly plant extract against larvae of Ae. albopictus. Succari (Citrus sinensis var. succari) seed and peel extracts proved least effective larvicides by having higher LC50 values, after 24 h (905.95 ppm for seed; 1009.44 ppm for peel) and 48 h (759.74 ppm for seed; 1041.53 ppm for peel) of exposure. Extracts from seed were more potent than peel as small doses of seed oils resulted in higher mortality as compared to peel extract.

Dengue fever treatment with Carica papaya leaves extracts.

Abstract: The main objective of the current study is to investigate the potential of Carica papaya leaves extracts against Dengue fever in 45 year old patient bitten by carrier mosquitoes. For the treatment of Dengue fever the extract was prepared in water. 25 mL of aqueous extract of C. papaya leaves was administered to patient infected with Dengue fever twice daily i.e. morning and evening for five consecutive days. Before the extract administration the blood samples from patient were analyzed. Platelets count (PLT), White Blood Cells (WBC) and Neutrophils (NEUT) decreased from 176×10(3)/µL, 8.10×10(3)/µL, 84.0% to 55×10(3)/µL, 3.7×10(3)/µL and 46.0%. Subsequently, the blood samples were rechecked after the administration of leaves extract. It was observed that the PLT count increased from 55×10(3)/µL to 168×10(3)/µL, WBC from 3.7×10(3)/µL to 7.7×10(3)/µL and NEUT from 46.0% to 78.3%. From the patient feelings and blood reports it showed that Carica papaya leaves aqueous extract exhibited potential activity against Dengue fever. Furthermore, the different parts of this valuable specie can be further used as a strong natural candidate against viral diseases.

Agricultural residues as a source of bioactive natural products

Abstract: Agricultural industry produces billions of tons of residues in non-edible portions derived from the cultivation and processing of a particular crop. These residues can cause pollution, management and economic problems worldwide. This is the reason for the development of different strategies to use agricultural and industrial residues as a source of high value-added products. This review gives an overview of the potential of agricultural residues as raw materials for the production of bioactive products considering their availability, processing, and their chemical and biological properties. We also provide new data on the potential as biopesticides of some selected crop- and processing-based residues.

Phytochemical activity and role of botanical pesticides in pest management for sustainable agricultural crop production

Abstract: Increased demand for food to feed the ever-growing population led to development and adoption of synthetic chemicals as a quick and effective strategy of managing crop pests and diseases. However, overreliance on synthetic pesticides is discouraged due to their detrimental effects on human health, the environment, and development of resistant pest and pathogen strains. This, coupled with increasing demand for organically produced foods, stimulated search for alternative approaches and botanical pesticides are particularly gaining importance. Botanical pesticides are efficacious in managing different crop pests, inexpensive, easily biodegraded, have varied modes of action, their sources are easily available and have low toxicity to non-target organisms. Their varied modes of action are attributed to the phytochemical composition in different plants. Therefore, they can be incorporated into integrated pest management systems and contribute to sustainable agricultural production. Nevertheless, botanical pesticides have not been fully adopted due to challenges in formulation and commercialization which are attributed to lack of chemical data and positive controls. Many publications have featured botanical pesticides with skewed interest towards management of insect pests. This review brings together information regarding botanical pesticides, their phytochemical composition and mechanisms of action against pests of importance in agricultural production. The paper also presents chemistry data of selected botanical pesticides, their biodegradation, role in integrated pest management and the challenges facing their adoption and utilization for sustainable crop pest management.

Toxicity of seaweed-synthesized silver nanoparticles against the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus and its impact on predation efficiency of the cyclopoid crustacean Mesocyclops longisetus.

Abstract: Nearly1.4billionpeoplein73countriesworldwide are threatened by lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic infection that leadstoadiseasecommonlyknownaselephantiasis.Filariasis is vectored by mosquitoes, with special reference to the genus Culex. The main control tool against mosquito larvae is rep- resented by treatments with organophosphates and insect growth regulators, with negative effects on human health and the environment. Recently, green-synthesized nanoparti- cles have been proposed as highly effective larvicidals against mosquito vectors. In this research, we attempted a reply to the following question: do green-synthesized nanoparticles affect predation rates of copepods against mosquito larvae? We pro- posed a novel methodof seaweed-mediatedsynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the frond extract of Caulerpa scalpelliformis. The toxicity of the seaweed extract and silver nanoparticles was assessed against the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Then,we evaluated the predatory efficiency of the cyclopoid crustacean Mesocyclops longisetus against