Abstract: Objective To observe the molluscicidal activity and the fish acute toxicity of the molluscicides extracted from Ginkgo biloba sarcotesta by benzinum (EGSB) (with major component of ginkgolic acid), arecoline (ARE) and their combination. Methods Oncomelania hupensis snails were immersed in different concentrations of dry powder sarcotesta of Ginkgo biloba (DPGB), extract of Ginkgo biloba sarcotesta by water(EGSW) and EGSB by WHO recommended method for molluscicide screening to observe the molluscicidal activity, and also the inhibiting effect on the snails’ climbing?鄄up as well as acute toxicity to Brachydanio rerio. Niclosamide was used as control. Results The three extractions from Ginkgo biloba all showed molluscicidal activity, with EGSB as the best. Its 24 h LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ were 0.65 mg/L and 5.50 mg/L, and the 48 h LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ were 0.07 mg/L and 0.85 mg/L, respectively. The combination of EGSB and ARE showed better effect than EGSB alone. Its 24 h LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ were 0.26 mg/L and 0.56 mg/L respectively, a sharp decrease by 60% and 90% compared to EGSB (P<0.05). Under the concentration of 2.50 mg/L of EGSB, the rate of snails’ climbing-up was 10%, while under the concentration of 0.16 mg/L of the EGSB+ARE combination, the rate was 8%. The inhibition on the snails’ climbing-up of the combination was stronger than EGSB. The fish survived for 24 h and 10 h respectively at the concentration of 1×LC₉₀ and 2×LC₉₀ of EGSB. Under the concentration of 2×LC₉₀ of the combination, only 50% of the fish died and no fish died at the concentration of 1×LC₉₀. The toxicity of the combination was lower than EGSB alone. Conclusion EGSB shows an adequate molluscicidal activity and it is worth of further investigation.

Key words: Ginkgo biloba, Sarcotesta, Arecoline, Plant molluscicide, Oncomelania hupensis