Effects of bacterial composition and aquatic habitat metabolites on malaria vector larval availability in irrigated and non-irrigated sites of Homa Bay county, western Kenya.

Gravid Anopheles malaria vectors depend on both chemical and physical (including microbial) cues for selection of preferred habitats for oviposition. This study focused on assessing the effects of bacterial composition and habitat metabolites on malaria vector larval availability in irrigated and non-irrigated potential larval sources. Water samples were collected from larval positive and negative habitats in the irrigated and non- irrigated areas of Homa Bay county. Bacteria cultured from the water samples were subjected to Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for species identification. DNA was extracted from the colonies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing done. Finally, the metabolite composition of larval positive and negative habitats was determined. MALDI-TOF MS results revealed that Bacillus was the only genera identified from larval sources in the non-irrigated zone. In the irrigated area, Shigella was the dominant genera (47%) while Escherichia coli was the abundant species (13/51). Of the sequenced isolates, 65% were Bacillus. Larvicidal isolates Brevibacillus brevis, Bacillus subtilis, and Exiguobacterium profundum were isolated and grouped with Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus stercoris, and Brevibacillus agri. Irrigated areas with larvae had reduced crude fat (0.01%) and protein content (0.13%) in comparison to those without larvae. In irrigated and non- irrigated areas, larval presence was evident in habitats with high total chlorophyll content (1.12 μg/g vs 0.81μg/g and 3.37 μg/g vs 0.82). Aquatic habitats with larvae in both irrigated and non-irrigated areas exhibited higher sugar concentration than habitats without larvae; however, when compared, non-irrigated areas with larvae had higher sugar concentration than similar habitats in irrigated areas. In addition, substantial concentrations of Manganese, Calcium, and Copper were found in aquatic habitats containing larvae in both irrigated and non-irrigated areas. These results allow for prospective examination as potential larvicidal or adulticidal agents and could be considered when designing potential vector control interventions.