Molluscicidal properties of Acacia nilotica.

The acetone, alcohol and aqueous extracts of fruits of Acacia nilotica (L) Willd. ex Del. (Mimosaceae) showed molluscicidal activity against Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the two snail species which transmit schistosomiasis in the Sudan (S. haematobium and S. mansonii). TAN, a new vegetable molluscicide prepared from the aqueous extract of the fruits of A. nilotica was produced on a pilot scale by using the spray drying procedure. Due to the high content of tannins in the powder (more than 56%), the molluscicidal properties of this plant may well be due to these compounds.