Uji Efektvitas Ekstrak Kulit Buah Jeruk Nipis (Citrus Aurantifolia) terhadap Mortalitas Pediculus Humanus Capitis

Pediculus humanus capitis, commonly known as head lice, is an ectoparasite that causes pediculosis, a condition that frequently affects children. Traditional treatment methods to address head lice often involve the use of chemical insecticides; however, excessive use of these chemicals can result in negative side effects, such as skin irritation or resistance development in the lice population. To reduce these adverse impacts, the use of biorational insecticides made from natural ingredients is becoming a more popular and sustainable approach. One such natural remedy is lime, particularly its various components, such as the seeds, leaves, fruit skin, and juice, which contain compounds known to exhibit insecticidal properties. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of lime peel extract at different concentrations in causing the mortality of Pediculus humanus capitis. The research was experimental in nature, and it tested the efficacy of lime peel extract in various concentrations using 65 adult head lice samples. The method employed for treatment was spraying the lice with lime peel extract at concentrations of 1%, 4%, 7%, and 10%. The results revealed that at a 1% concentration, the average time for lice to die was 75 minutes, while at a 4% concentration, the average death time was reduced to 51 minutes. At 7% concentration, the average death time dropped to 23 minutes, and at 10% concentration, the average death time further decreased to just 6 minutes. These findings indicate that lime peel extract has an effective insecticidal action against Pediculus humanus capitis. Furthermore, the mortality rate increases as the concentration of lime peel extract rises, suggesting that this natural ingredient can serve as a viable alternative to chemical insecticides for managing head lice infestations while minimizing the associated risks to human health and the environment