Abstract
Background: Safety concerns over the use of chemical-based pesticides are provoking intense studies and application of bio-pesticides in disease control and agriculture. Aim: This qualitative study was aimed at testing the repellent efficacy; and suitability of Cymbopogoncitratus (Lemongrass) for the development of natural product-based mosquito repellent. Method: Cymbopogon oil (75ml) was extracted from 200g of fresh Lemongrass leaves using Soxhlet method with n-Hexane as solvent. Human volunteers were topically treated with 2ml and 6ml of Cymbopogon oil applied on exposed areas of the body at night; and observed for 4hrs 30mins. Direct test on mosquitoes in captivity was conducted using a 2-chambered insect box treated with 4 ml of oil in one chamber. Results: Human subjects were free from mosquito bites for 3 hours. Mosquitoes in captivity exhibited active movement away from oil-treated chamber of the box within the first minute of application; 43% repellency and 100% mortality were recorded after 18 minutes. Conclusion: Findings suggest that Cymbopogoncitratus 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. However further studies and qualitative analyses are necessary to determine suitable concentrations for human topical application.
Highlights
Mosquitoes have been implicated in the transmission of very debilitating and deadly diseases to humans; such as malaria, filariasis, dengue fever and yellow fever
This study was aimed at testing the mosquito repellent property of Cymbopogon citratus on human volunteers and mosquitoes in captivity, to determine its suitability as natural product-based mosquito repellent
Repellent activity of lemon grass oil on mosquitoes in captivity Mosquitoes were observed to fly restlessly exhibiting frantic attempts to escape from the test box; and 13 (43%) flew away from the oil-treated section (A) into the untreated section (B) of the insect box within the first minute of exposure
Summary
Mosquitoes have been implicated in the transmission of very debilitating and deadly diseases to humans; such as malaria, filariasis, dengue fever and yellow fever. Apart from the use of insecticides for residual house spraying and other basic strategies targeted at the vector, the fight against mosquito-borne infections engages preventive measures to avoid or reduce vector-man contact, such as avoiding places of high mosquito densities, wearing protective clothing outdoors, use of bed and window nets, and use of mosquito repellents, etc. These formed part of the Global Malaria. Conclusion: 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. Further studies and qualitative analyses are necessary to determine suitable concentrations for human topical application
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