Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Biophysics

This study presents the effect of pulsed electric field on aquatic insects trying to control the harmful part of them (stop its cycle) in water by a cheap and eco-friendly method. The effects of electric field of millisecond pulsed intensity on the viability of mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens) were determined. Mosquito larvae groups were treated with electric field strength range (66.66, 83.33, 100 and 116.66 V/cm) at constant number of pulses (60) and other groups were treated with different number of pulses (20, 40, 60 and 80) at constant electric field strength (100V/cm). The pulse time duration was constant (4 ms) in all treatment cases. Results showed that the treatments of either increase in the applied electric field strength or increase in number of pulses were statistically important. The increase in the two cases increase the lethal concentrations at which 25%, 50% and 75% of the mosquito larvae sample died (P < 0.05). The effect of damage on mosquito larvae was estimated using bio assay method, SDS-PAGE of the whole-body proteins, enzymes analysis and DNA comet assay. The present study indicates that low pulsed electric field may cause genotoxicity to mosquito larvae. The increase in the pulsed electric field parameters produce changes in the insect{u2019}s body proteins that may affect insect life ability. Also the increase in the pulsed electric field parameters activate oxidative stress in the insect{u2019}s cell by disturbing its secretion of enzymes and making changes in larvae genes which can affect mosquitoes{u2019} abilities in future

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