Insect Repellent Properties of Melaleuca alternifolia

Muhammad Shahzad Aslam,Muhammad Syarhabil Ahmad,Mohamad Adib Bin Edris,Awang Soh Yusuff Mamat

doi:10.18639/rabm.2016.02.293742

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the use of plant-based insect repellents that are environment friendly with the use of insect repellents based on chemical substances which can be harmful to the environment and human health. The plant studied here is “tea tree”; its scientific name isMelaleuca alternifolia. Essential oil from this plant is extracted by steam distillation method. Based on the previous research, tea tree oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and insect repellent properties. Some experiments were done on tea tree oil to determine its insect repellent properties and the suitable concentration that can be used to make sure its repelling effect is optimum. The purpose of this determination is to avoid its harmful effect on humans because it can be toxic if it is used at high concentration. The results showed that tea tree oil repelledTribolium castaneum. Furthermore, the toxicity assays also gave positive result where the tea tree oil has toxic properties againstSolenopsis invicta. The lethal dose (LD) of tea tree oil to kill 50% of a group ofS. invictais 23.52 μL/mL. This LD50 is determined by using the arithmetic method of Karber. Broadly, the results showed thatM. alternifoliahas insect repellent properties and shows toxicity against certain insects.

Highlights

A long time ago, plant-based insect repellents were used in “old style” practice, especially as protective mediums
The yield of essential oil depends on three factors: temperature, extraction time, and moisture content
The lower the moisture content, the greater is the yield of essential oil

Summary

Introduction

A long time ago, plant-based insect repellents were used in “old style” practice, especially as protective mediums. The wide marketing of a repellent product partially produced by a plant-based ingredient has shown increasing popularity among users. Most plants have a compound that can be used as an insect repellent. M. alternifolia is Australia’s native plant, and because of its vigorous growth in Australia and its properties, this plant has been widely used in Australia. We can conclude that each part of this plant can be used In olden days, this plant was used to make medicinal ingredients, and sometimes it was used directly on the human body. Wide use of M. alternifolia oil did not officially begin until early this century when its antiseptic and eradicate properties were reported [1]

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