A Comparative Study Between Extracts of

Botanical Repellents Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and

Researchers:
Christian Dave Angelo Morla
Zyrelle Enrique
Marc Arnel Reyes
Jellian Tello Aquino
Jofer Pidenis
Breen Ordonio

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 CHAPTER 1

Background of the Study

around emitting a buzzing sound near our ears, and their bites can cause significant

discomfort by inducing itchiness and swelling on the skin. Besides the nuisance

factors, mosquitoes are considered one of the most dangerous animals that roam

worldwide. According to the data by Bustamante (2022), Mosquitoes cause at least 2.7

million deaths per year through mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquitoes can transmit

diseases such as chikungunya virus, dengue, malaria, yellow fever, west nile virus,

and zika virus.

There are several methods of preventing mosquito bites. The most common way

of preventing mosquitoes is by using sprays such as insecticides and pesticides. These

potent sprays can help in controlling biological vectors that threaten crop production,

spread of diseases, and those who can impact the comfort and health of humans and

domestic animals. Despite its positive effects, it can contaminate soil, water, turf, and

other vegetation. Moreover, insecticides and pesticides also have negative effects on

our health. These substances can pose significant health risks for a short and long-

term period. Examples of acute health effects include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters,

blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and death (Pesticides & Human Health, n.d.),

on the other hand, it also poses chronic effects such as cancers, birth defects,

reproductive harm, immunotoxicity, neurological and developmental toxicity, and

disruption of the endocrine system (Pesticides & Human Health, n.d.).

In addition to the negative effects mentioned before, the production of

insecticides and pesticides also affects the environment since when these substances

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are produced, they also emit three main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane,

and nitrous oxide. A study shows that pesticides are a key contributor to climate

change, from their manufacturing, transportation, and application , all the way to

their degradation and disposal according to Rose and Rose (2023).

Another way of preventing mosquitoes from biting us is with the use of

repellents. Repellents are made from different types of chemicals that when mixed, it

creates an unpleasant smell for insects and such. Repellents are substances produced

to repel and drive insects or other pests away from approaching or settling into our

skin or other surfaces, which can be applied to our clothes, skin, or other surfaces.

There are many different varieties of repellents, they can be in the form of chalk,

sprays, lotion, and incense. Although it's safer than insecticides and pesticides, it also

has a drawback since they are also made from chemicals. The chemicals used in the

production of repellents can also be harmful if we humans were to be exposed for a

long period. Some of the harmful chemicals used in the production of repellents are n,

n-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, diethyl phthalate, permethrin, and picaridin according

to Roy et al. (2017). These chemicals can cause health problems if exposed for a long

period of time.

Although harmful synthetic repellents were tested effective, there is another

type of repellent that is proven to be effective as well but does not pose harm to

human health. These repellents are also known as Botanical repellents. Botanical

repellents are natural repellents made from plants or household remedies, and these

repellents can be used as an alternative to synthetic repellents. Articles such as

Essential Oils as Mosquito Repellents: A Review by Kalita et al. (2013), and Lemon

Eucalyptus Oil: A Natural Mosquito Repellent showed the efficacy of botanical

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repellents in action. Plants such as lemon grass and madre de cacao contain

chemicals that can repel mosquitoes. According to the study made by George et al.

(2016) “Findings suggest that Cymbopogon citratus extracts could be used for the

production of potent chemical-free and safe mosquito repellent and insecticide for

vector control in the fight against malaria and other mosquito-vectored diseases”. In

another study, Pamplona (2019) also concluded that “every time the madre de cacao

leaf extract was increased, the number of mosquitoes that are repelled also increased”,

the plant madre de cacao was used as a component in making mosquito coils. These

studies shows the efficacy in using botanical repellents against mosquitoes.

Therefore, the researchers thought of a way to further analyze the effectiveness

of the botanical repellents lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de cacao

(Gliricidia sepium). Thus, the researchers came up with the title “A Comparative Study

Between the Extracts of botanical Repellents Lemon Grass and Madre de Cacao

Against Mosquitoes”.

Statement of the Problem:

This study aims to utilize lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de

cacao (Gliricidia sepium) as natural repellents to reduce health risks emitted by

synthetic repellents.

This study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the acceptability of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) as mosquito

repellent in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

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 c. Application

2. What is the acceptability of madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) as mosquito

repellent in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

c. Application

3. What are the significant differences between the botanical repellents lemon

grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) ?

Hypothesis:

Ha: 1. The plant lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is acceptable as mosquito

repellent in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

c. Application

2. The plant madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) is acceptable as mosquito repellent

in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

c. Application

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 3. There is a significant difference between the botanical repellents lemon grass

(Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) at α =0.05 level of

significance.

H0: 1. The plant lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is not acceptable as mosquito

repellent in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

c. Application

2. The plant madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) is not acceptable as mosquito

repellent in terms of:

a. Efficacy

b. Duration

c. Application

3. There is no significant difference between the botanical repellents lemon grass

(Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) at α =0.05 level of

significance.

Significance of the Study:

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 This study aims to contribute in reducing multiple health risks caused by

mosquitoes, and harmful chemicals that is contained in synthetic repellents. This

study can be a great benefit to the following:

Individuals with Sensitive Skin: Those with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis,

dermatitis, or acne may react negatively to chemical repellents. Botanical repellents

are a gentler alternative that can prevent irritation.

Children: Since botanical repellents are free from DEET, a chemical that may

potentially harm the central nervous system, they are a safer option for children.

Health-Conscious Individuals: People who prefer using products with natural

ingredients over synthetic ones can benefit from botanical repellents. These natural

products often contain additional health benefits such as antibacterial, antiseptic,

anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties.

Environmentally Conscious Consumers: Those who are mindful of their

environmental impact may choose botanical repellents as they are considered to be

more eco-friendly compared to DEET-based repellents.

Outdoor Enthusiasts: Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors may find

botanical repellents effective in protecting against mosquitoes and other biting insects,

while also offering a pleasant scent for aromatherapy.

(Maia & Moore, 2011; Cassar, 2021)

Scope and Delimitations:

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 The parameter of this study will only focus on the significant difference of the

botanical repellents lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and madre de cacao (Gliricidia

sepium) through comparison in terms of their repellency. This study also aims to

reduce the health risks associated when using synthetic repellents and the danger of

diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

Moreover, certain boundaries have been set for this study, including neither

using humans nor animals as test subject for the extract, and testing effects of the

extract on human skin. This study will only focus on testing its repellency against

mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and other types of available

mosquitoes near the testing area.

Definition of Terms:

Biological Vectors: A biological vector is an organism that transmits the causative

agent or disease-causing organism from the reservoir to the host.

Botanical repellents: Botanical repellents are substances derived from plants that are

used to deter insects and other pests. They work by making the host unattractive,

unpalatable, or offensive to the pests, effectively preventing damage to plants or

animals.

Repellents: a substance that repels insects.

Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus): perennial species of oil grass in the

family Poaceae, often used in cooking. At a distance, clusters of lemongrasses in their

native habitat look deceptively plain. Long skinny leaves of an unassuming green fan

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out from the stem, yet they release at a single touch a profuse lemon aroma that has

made this pungent plant a staple of kitchens across Southeast Asia.

Madre de Cacao (Gliricidia sepium): Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as

‘gliricidia’, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing shrub, exotic to Kenya but native to El

Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the United States of

America.

Mosquitoes: The slender, elongated body of the adult is covered with scales as are the

veins of the wings. Mosquitoes are also characterized by long, fragile-looking legs and

elongated, piercing mouthparts.

References:

Biology Online. (2022, September 30). Vector Definition and Examples - Biology

Online Dictionary. Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online.

https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/vector

Bustamante, J. (2022, January 6). Mosquito Deaths & Mosquito Borne Disease

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%20illnesses%20occur%20in%20Africa.

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Cassar, J. (2021, March 16). Benefits of using Natural organic insect repellent |

Nature’s Botanical. Nature’s Botanical.

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Kalita, B., Bora, S., & Sharma, A. K. (2013). PLANT ESSENTIAL OILS AS

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