Application with initiative to replace common insect fuel for fogging system with biodiesel

Abstract

The project addressed the application of biodiesel as a fuel in replacing the petroleum-based liquid carrier in common fogging system. In controlling the population of larvae and adult mosquito using chemical pesticide spraying through fogging method, the dilution rate based on the efficient mixing of pesticide and biodiesel is yet to be investigated. A simulation field trial was conducted indoor in a visible container with the designed dimension of 50 cm × 50 cm × 50 cm with the method of fogging was adapted from the principle of thermal fogger. The biodiesel was produced through the transesterification reaction of palm oil with methanol using hydrotalcite as catalysts. To evaluate the larvicidal and adulticidal mortality, dilution of pesticide which is Sumithion L-40 into biodiesel as liquid carrier is varied. The 5 ml pesticide-carrier mixture with the dilution ratio of 1:9, 3:7 and 5:5 were used and dispersed into the ambient in the form of fog. After several tests, it can be deduced that the most effective dilution ratio for against larvae is 1:9 and adult mosquito is 5:5. The larvae mortality rate achieved 100% at the duration of 117 min due to effective settlement of the spraying droplet of formulation mixture on exposed water. The result also proven that, biodiesel as liquid carrier capable to overcome the solubility problem encountered by the conventional petroleum-based carrier. The adult mosquito needs shorter knockdown time with the higher dosage of pesticide. Sumithion L-40 consists of two active ingredients which are tetramethrin and fenitrothion that provide quick knockdown and residual effect especially to adult mosquito.