Research collaboration with India

Malaria management is a big challenge due to the presence of insecticide-resistant strains as well as the development of Plasmodium species highly resistant to major anti-malarial drugs.

A collaborative study between Teesside University academic Dr Pattanathu Rahman and Thiruvalluvar University in India is focusing on the application of biosurfactants produced by bacteria from Indian soil for insecticidal applications against malaria mosquitoes.

The work was initiated by Professor Kadarkarai Murugan, an entomologist and Vice-Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar University and collaborated with environmental microbiologist Dr Rajasekar Aruliah, an Assistant Professor and Ramalingaswmi Fellow of Thiruvalluvar University.

Treatments with bacterial surfactants led to various physiological changes including longer pupal duration, shorter adult ovipositional period, and reduced longevity and fecundity.

Overall, the toxic activity of these biosurfactants on mosquito larvae as well as their major impact on adult longevity and fecundity, allows their further consideration for the development of insecticides in the fight against malaria mosquitoes.

The details of the work were published in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal.

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