Foreign Study
Proposed study conducted by Ukpong, Iniodu George, Ettah, Hannah Edim,
Eshuong, Emmanuel Edet (2016) entitled “Studies on Mosquito Repellent Activity of
Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemon Grass) Using Human Volunteers”, In a study with
human volunteers, results regarding the repellent effects of lemon grass oil against
mosquitoes were confirmed with real-life observations. In this study, lemongrass
essential oil prevented mosquito landing attempts and bites, this confirms previously
documented evidence that Citratus essential oil is effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Despite this, the duration of protection is concerning; in this study, lemon grass oil
provided anti-mosquito protection for 3 hours following which landing attempts and bites
were recorded. In addition to quantitative studies, further studies on the interval of
protection will provide useful information. This will enable the production of insect
repellents that use lemon grass oil as the active ingredient. The information would also
help local mosquito control and prevention practices make informed decisions about the
use of the extract. Live mosquitoes were also used in the study to confirm lemon grass
oil's insecticidal properties. As a natural pesticide and repellent, lemon grass oil is
considered safer than chemical-based pesticides.
Local Study
The research conducted by John Enrick Santos, Joshua Santos, Deanne
Marise S. Sulleza, Renzo Tahanlangit (2018) entitled “The Feasibility of Oregano
Extract as a Mosquito Repellent in Alido, Malolos, Bulacan”, It was observed that
Oreganum vulgare, a selected plant material, has mosquito repellent properties,
allowing the formulation of a safe and effective herbal mosquito repellent. Pierre Lutgen
(2015) reports that Oregano oils contain high amounts of thymol (38.8%), carvacrol
(32.9%), and p-cymene (7.9%). They are solidly toxic toward Rhizopertadominica when
contacted or fumigated. As well, they are effective against fruit flies. Three replicates
were performed in the study. In addition, it proved 100% effective at repelling
mosquitoes in its first replication. Nevertheless, only 93% of the mosquitoes were
repelled in the second and third replications. Furthermore, the researcher of this study
aims to reduce the threat that mosquitoes pose to human health. It was discovered that
oregano has thymol and carvacrol and because of this, it is effective in repelling
mosquitoes.