Insect Repellent Research Articles

Rancid rumors or Native wisdom: Evaluating the efficacy of animal fats as insect repellents attributed to historic-period Native Americans.

Little is known about Native American adaptations to blood-sucking arthropods prior to and following European contact. Multiple accounts starting in the 16th century suggest that rancid animal grease was employed by Gulf Coast indigenes as a mosquito repellent. Although many Native American ethnobotanical remedies for biting insects have been recorded, the use of animal products for this purpose is not well documented. Moreover, few traditional Native American mosquito repellents have been examined using controlled laboratory methods for repellency testing. In this study, we tested the repellent efficacy of fats derived from alligator, bear, cod, and shark that were aged to various stages of rancidity. Using yellow fever mosquitoes, (Aedes aegypti), we performed an arm-in-cage assay to measure the complete protection times resulted from these fats, when applied to human skin. We used a Y-tube olfactometer assay to evaluate long-distance repellency and tested tick-repellency in a crawling assay. Our results suggest that rancid animal fats from cod, bear, and alligator are potent albeit short-lived mosquito repellents. We found that both rancid and fresh fats do not repel ticks. Our findings show the validity of traditional ethnozoological knowledge of Native American people and support aspects of the ethnohistorical record.

Phytochemical and Mosquito Repellent activities of <i>Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulate and Citrus limon</i> Leaves

Phytochemical and Mosquito Repellent activities of <i>Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulate and Citrus limon</i> Leaves

Electrospun Polymeric Nanofibers for Malaria Control: Advances in Slow‐Release Mosquito Repellent Technology

AbstractThe textile industry comprises technologies that transform synthetic or natural fibers into yarn, cloth, and felt for manufacturing clothing, upholstery, and household linens. The major public health threat in tropical and subtropical countries is mosquito‐borne malaria. Nowadays, the demand for insect repellent‐based textiles is continuously rising, as they are used for protection against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The present work reviews studies on the fabrication of insect repellent containing electrospun polymeric nanofibers as principal tools for protecting people against mosquito bites. Electrospinning technology is a remarkably facile technique for fabricating polymeric nanofiber devices. The technique is outlined and elucidated. The performance of insect repellent‐based polymeric nanofibers against mosquitoes is carefully reported and comprehensively reviewed in‐depth. Furthermore, the progress made on the mathematical modeling of the release rate of repellents through polymeric nanofiber devices is reviewed. The reviewed studies demonstrate that repellents can be released slowly from electrospun nanofibers, increasing the product's protection period against insects. The reviewed works suggest that electrospinning technology has led to an effective and facile methodology for fabricating functional nanofiber textiles with insect repellent. The reviewed studies showed that product‐based repellents can be effective not only against malaria but also against other mosquito‐borne diseases.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ATLANTIA MONOPHYLLA (AM) EXTRACT

Objective: Plants have long been recognised for their wide range of biological properties, including antibacterial, analgesic, anticancer, antipyretic, and antihypertensive action. They are also a significant source of several chemicals with biological activity. The Rutaceae family consists of a small shrub Atlantia monophylla. It is available all over India. The leaves were employed as an insect repellent and to alleviate swellings. The root bark has been found to contain atalaphyllinine, atalantin, dehydroatalantin, cycloepiatalantin, and atalaphylline 3, 5-dimethyl ether. Essential oil extracted from the leaves was reported to have antimicrobial properties. Methods: To evaluate the phytochemicals Standard chemical methods for each o the compounds were used – like Tannins (0.1% ferric chloride), saponins (2 ml of water)/flavonoids (with NaOH), Alkaloids (Drangandooff reagent), protein (Million’s reagent) steroids (10% sulphuric acid), anthraquinones (aqueous ammonia), Phenols (lead acetate), terpenoids, (3% sulphuric acids) Carbohydrates (Benedict’s reagent). Disc plate method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extract Results: The results of this study identified the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, phenols, terpenoids, and carbohydrates in the AM extract. The microbiological studies revealed better inhibitions of microbes compared to standard drugs. Conclusion: Tannins, flavonoids, proteins, steroids, phenols, terpenoids, carbohydrates and alkaloids were extracted from the AM extract. The extract has significant microbiological action.

In silico Screening of Plectranthus amboinicus and Hyptis suaveolens Phyto-chemicals: Novel Repellents Targeting Odorant Binding Proteins of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

Background and Aim: Mosquitoes significantly threaten public health, transmitting dangerous diseases to humans and animals. Conventional insecticide spraying, while common, has limitations in effectively controlling vector-borne diseases. Many chemical pesticides harm humans and animals, and some persist in the environment and cause toxic effects. Recently, there has been renewed interest in plant-based products due to concerns about insecticide re-sistance, cross-resistance, potential toxicity associated with synthetic options, and rising costs. Therefore, this study aimed to screen the Plectranthus amboinicus and Hyptis suaveolens phy-tochemicals targeting the odorant binding proteins (OBPs) of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopic-tus. Methods: In this study, we conducted molecular docking analyses using specific plant-derived compounds from H. suaveolens and P. amboinicus. Results: We focused on the interaction of these compounds with OBPs from dengue and chikungunya vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). The selected phytochemical com-pounds exhibited strong binding with the OBP of both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Tetrahy-drofuran-2-carboxylic acid, Carvacryl acetate, and Brallobarbital showed high binding affinity and significant interaction with Ae. aegypti. Tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid and 3-Methyl-4-isopropylphenol also demonstrated substantial binding affinity and effective interaction with Ae. albopictus OBP. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the identified compounds can potentially disrupt the attraction of mosquitoes to humans, thus reducing human-vector contact. They may offer a promising alternative for developing natural and efficient mosquito repellents, surpassing cur-rently used synthetic options like N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, and other conventional repel-lents.

An Overview of Tsetse Fly Repellents: Identification and Applications.

Tsetse flies are vectors of the parasite trypanosoma that cause the neglected tropical diseases human and animal African trypanosomosis. Semiochemicals play important roles in the biology and ecology of tsetse flies. Previous reviews have focused on olfactory-based attractants of tsetse flies. Here, we present an overview of the identification of repellents and their development into control tools for tsetse flies. Both natural and synthetic repellents have been successfully tested in laboratory and field assays against specific tsetse fly species. Thus, these repellents presented as innovative mobile tools offer opportunities for their use in integrated disease management strategies.

Fleagrass (Adenosma buchneroides Bonati) Acts as a Fungicide Against Candida albicans by Damaging Its Cell Wall.

Fleagrass, a herb known for its pleasant aroma, is widely used as a mosquito repellent, antibacterial agent, and for treating colds, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain. The antifungal effects of the essential oils of fleagrass and carvacrol against Candida albicans were investigated by evaluating the growth and the mycelial and biofilm development of C. albicans. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate the integrity of the cell membrane and cell wall of C. albicans. Fleagrass exhibited high fungicidal activity against C. albicans at concentrations of 0.5% v/v (via the Ras1/cAMP/PKA pathway). Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to the cell wall and membrane after treatment with the essential oil, which was further confirmed by the increased levels of β-1,3-glucan and chitin in the cell wall. This study showed that fleagrass exerts good fungicidal and hyphal growth inhibition activity against C. albicans by disrupting its cell wall, and thus, fleagrass may be a potential antifungal drug.

Essential oil components interacting with insect odorant-binding proteins: a molecular modelling approach

ABSTRACT Essential oils (EOs) are natural products currently used to control arthropods, and their interaction with insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) is fundamental for the discovery of new repellents. This in silico study aimed to predict the potential of EO components to interact with odorant proteins. A total of 684 EO components from PubChem were docked against 23 odorant binding proteins from Protein Data Bank using AutoDock Vina. The ligands and proteins were optimized using Gaussian 09 and Sybyl-X 2.0, respectively. The nature of the protein-ligand interactions was characterized using LigandScout 4.0, and visualization of the binding mode in selected complexes was carried out by Pymol. Additionally, complexes with the best binding energy in molecular docking were subjected to 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations using Gromacs. The best binding affinity values were obtained for the 1DQE-ferutidine (−11 kcal/mol) and 2WCH-kaurene (−11.2 kcal/mol) complexes. Both are natural ligands that dock onto those proteins at the same binding site as DEET, a well-known insect repellent. This study identifies kaurene and ferutidine as possible candidates for natural insect repellents, offering a potential alternative to synthetic chemicals like DEET.

In vivo mosquito repellency effect of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) essential oil bath bomb formulation in dogs.

Mosquitoes carry numerous diseases of medical and veterinary significance. While citronella essential oil is safe as a mosquito repellent, extensive research does not document its ability to deter mosquitoes from animals. This study assessed the citronella essential oil bath bomb's ability to repel Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in dogs. Citronella essential oil's chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Through freeze-thaw testing, a bath bomb formulation containing 6% w/w citronella essential oil was assessed for its physical and chemical stability. Thirty-two healthy client-owned mixed-breed dogs were employed to test the mosquito-repellency effects of citronella essential oil (treatment group) and olive oil (control group) bath bomb formulations. Bath bombs were tested for irritation effects on animal skin for 15-day post-application. Thirty-six compounds were identified through GC-MS, with citronellal (23.38%), δ-cadinene (12.25%), and geraniol (9.09%) being the most prevalent constituents. The bath bomb maintained its original physical properties after undergoing six freeze-thawing cycles and retained over 90% of its citronella essential oil. About 100%, 69.28%, and 65.58% mosquito repellency were displayed by the citronella essential oil bath bomb at 3 h, 6 h, and 8 h, respectively. None of the test animals exhibited skin irritation during the study. The citronella bath bomb effectively repelled C. quinquefasciatus in dogs without irritating their skin. The formulation's physical and chemical stability is demonstrated by the results of freeze-thaw stability testing. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the repelling activity against other mosquito species.

Dengue dynamics in Nepal: A Caputo fractional model with optimal control strategies

An infectious disease called dengue is a significant health concern nowadays. The dengue outbreak occurred with a single serotype all over Nepal in 2023. In the tropical and subtropical regions, dengue fever is a leading cause of sickness and death. Currently, there is no specified treatment for dengue fever. Avoiding mosquito bites is strongly advised to reduce the likelihood of controlling this disease. In underdeveloped countries like Nepal, the implementation of appropriate control measures is the most important factor in preventing and controlling the spread of dengue illness. The Caputo fractional dengue model with optimum control variables, including mosquito repellent and insecticide use, investigates the impact of alternative control strategies to minimize dengue prevalence. Using the fixed point theorem, the existence and uniqueness of a solution will be demonstrated for the problem. Ulam-Hyers stability, disease-free equilibrium point stability, and basic reproduction number are studied for the proposed model. The model is simulated using a two-step Lagrange interpolation technique, and the least squares method is used to estimate parameter values using real monthly infected data. We then analyze the sensitivity analysis to determine influencing parameters and the control measure effects on the basic reproduction number. The Pontryagin Maximum Principle is used to determine the optimal control variable in the dengue model for control strategies. The present study suggests that the deployment of control measures is extremely successful in lowering infectious disease incidences. Which facilitates the decision-makers to practice rigorous evaluation of such an epidemiological scenario while implementing appropriate control measures to prevent dengue disease transmission in Nepal.

Analysis of the Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children Under Five at Community Health Centres

There are still high cases of ARI in children under five, ARI is one of the 10 most common diseases in the first place in health services at the health centre. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the incidence of ARI in children under five at the Pegayut Health Centre, Ogan Ilir Regency in 2024. Quantitative analytical survey research design with a cross-sectional approach. The sampling technique used purposive sampling technique, using the slovin formula. The research sample totalled 80 respondents. Inclusion criteria are parents of children under five who visit for treatment at the Puskesmas, while the exclusion criteria are parents of children under five who are not willing to be respondents. This study was conducted on 01-28 February 2024 Data collection techniques by interview using questionnaire r. Bivariate data analysis using chi-Square test and multivariate logistic regression. The results showed that there was a relationship between occupation (p value 0.005), smoking behaviour (p value 0.017), the use of mosquito repellent (p value 0.04), the use of stove cooking utensils (p value 0.005) and the distance between the house and the highway (p value 0.02) to the incidence of ARI in children under five at the Pegayut Health Centre, Ogan Ilir Regency in 2024. The most dominant factor with the incidence of ARI in children under five at the Pegayut Health Centre, Ogan Ilir Regency in 2024 is smoking behaviour in the house (p value 0.016), (OR 0.140). The conclusion is that there is a relationship between employment, smoking behaviour, the use of mosquito repellents, the use of stove cooking utensils and the distance of the house from the highway to the incidence of ARI in children under five at the Pegayut Health Centre. Suggestions for the Puskesmas provide education related to smoking behaviour in the community, with existing programs and activities at the Puskesmas.

Vector-control potential of Unani medicines: A review of classical Unani texts and contemporary scientific literature.

Vector-borne diseases pose substantial global health challenges, with a notable impact on India. Effective vector control strategies are crucial to mitigating these diseases as there are no effective vaccines available. Synthetic chemicals are widely used but concerns about safety and environmental impact have prompted exploration of alternative natural solutions. Unani medicine offers a potential source of natural products. This study aims to systematically review classical Unani texts and contemporary scientific literature to evaluate the vector control potential of Unani medicines. A comprehensive review of classical Unani texts was carried out to compile data on herbal and mineral substances suggested in Unani medicine for control of insects. Furthermore, electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were explored for research studies evaluating the insect repellent, larvicidal, and insecticidal activities of the Unani medicines. Time restriction was not imposed to ensure comprehensive retrieval of pertinent and up-to-date information. From classical Unani texts, 29 drugs were identified for control of insects, primarily of plant origin from diverse botanical families. Recent scientific investigations have confirmed the insect-repellent, insecticidal, and larvicidal activities of 19 of these Unani medicines against various insect species, including mosquitoes. These findings underscore the potential of Unani medicines as a natural source for vector control. However, further research is essential to explore mechanism, delivery methods, and optimal concentrations for developing effective vector-control formulations.

DESIGNING FUNCTIONAL AND AESTHETIC HOME TEXTILES FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL IN THE INDOOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES IN PUNJAB

Recently, there has been a lot of innovation in the design and craft of decorative interior textiles. With the advent of advanced technologies and sustainability concerns all over the world, there has been phenomenal progress in the usage of functional applications in the field of interior textile design. These functional applications offer multiple solutions to impart in interior textiles that not only provide an aesthetic appeal in the indoor environment but also furnish the need for health and vector protection. Considering the present environmental conditions and prevalence of vector-borne diseases in the indoor environment in Pakistan, this review study was conducted to assess the user acceptance, and feasibility of manufacturing such products in the mainstream of Punjab textile industry. By employing the design thinking methodology, the study sorted out the technologically feasible and economically viable. Desirability, feasibility and viability. The home textile product that can function as a mosquito repellent in the indoor space after applying a vector protective finish can offer significant benefits to the users. The products may also cater to multiple functions along with their aesthetic appeal. The research presents the needs analysis and recommendations for utilizing functional applications in home textile products.

Natural Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Products: A Potential Complementary Tool for Malaria Vector Control Intervention and Elimination in Zimbabwe

Natural Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Products: A Potential Complementary Tool for Malaria Vector Control Intervention and Elimination in Zimbabwe

Repellent Activity Testing of an Essential Oil Gel Preparation of Cinnamon (Cinnamomun Burmanii) Bark) And Kaffir Lime Peel (Citrus Hytrix) Against Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes

Dengue fever is still a disease that dominates, especially in the Papua region. To overcome this, it is necessary to modify preparations based on medicinal plants as mosquito repellents, one of which is gel preparations. This study aims to determine the repellent activity test of essential oil gel preparations of Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum burmannii) and Kaffir Lime Peel (Citrus Hystrix) against the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The method used in this research uses experimental methods. This research was conducted in April - November 2022. This research used two formulations, namely cinnamon bark and kaffir lime peel (FI) formulations which were compared with formulation preparations in the form of a base without active substances (FII). The tests carried out were physical quality tests and repellent tests on the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The research results show that based on physical quality tests, it is known that FI has a distinctive odor, slightly yellowish white color and a thick shape. Meanwhile, FII has the distinctive smell of patchouli oil, milky white color and thick shape. In the homogeneity test on FI and FII it was found to be homogeneous and fulfilled the requirements. In the adhesion and spreadability tests on FI and FII it was found that they met the requirements. In the pH test, the pH of FI and FII has a pH value of 7 and meets the requirements. In the repellent test using arm-in-cage with 3 replications using 20 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The formulas tested were FI and FII and observations made were by recording the number of mosquitoes that landed after using the repellent for 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 minutes. The research results showed that in the 15th minute the protection power was 88.3%, in the 30th minute the protection power was 88.3%, in the 60th minute the protection power was 72.3%, in the 120th minute the protection power was 67, 1%, in the 240th minute the protection power was 51.5%, and in the 360th minute the protection power was 47.7%. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the essential oil formulation of cinnamon bark and Kaffir lime peel is efficacious as a repellent.

Pharmacological and Phytochemical Potential of Andropogon muricatus: A Review

Many medicinal plants have been utilized as medications since ages ago. Chemical components extracted from such plants have been used historically in traditional Unani medicine, the Siddha and other medical systems for a variety of ailments. Among them is Andropogon muricatus, a member of the family Poaceae, better known by its common name, vetiver. It contains a variety of organic components with significant therapeutic benefits for a range of illnesses, including mosquito repellent, anxiolytic, acaricidal, hypoglycaemic, antidepressant, antidiuretic, sedative, antifungal, and nervine effects. This plant’s roots serve as cooling. When it comes to oil extraction—which is used in food and beverages, spas, home appliances, and medicine—root systems are the most valuable parts of the plant. It is indigenous in Bangladesh, China, Japan, the Bonin Islands, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka in the Asian continent. Australia and Spain were first exposed to it in Europe and Oceania. Substances of a chemical nature that have been extracted from the plant’s overall various sections have previously been the subject of numerous pharmacologic and medicinal studies.

Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) Modeling of Mosquito Repellents: Deciphering the Importance of the 1-Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient on the Prediction Results

Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) Modeling of Mosquito Repellents: Deciphering the Importance of the 1-Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient on the Prediction Results

Comparative Antimicrobial Activity and Bioactive Constituents of Oils from Rhizomes of Zingiber Officinale Roscoe Obtained by Different Extraction Methods

Ginger, known for its rich array of bioactive compounds, holds significant therapeutic potential due to its diverse medicinal properties. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity and bioactive principles present in ginger rhizome oils obtained using three different extraction methods viz: liquid-liquid extraction, cold maceration, and soxhlet extraction. The oils’ bioactive principles were identified by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) while their antimicrobial activity was determined by agar well diffusion technique. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of thirty compounds in each of the oils from liquid-liquid extraction and cold maceration, and fifty four compounds in the soxhlet-extracted oil. The most predominant compound in both liquid-liquid (31.13%) and cold maceration (16.99%) oils was oleic acid whereas the Soxhlet-extracted oil contained predominantly linoleic acid methyl ester (9.27%). Some bioactive compounds identified in these oils include δ-elemene, isoborneol, α-Bisabolol oxide, stearic acid, undecanone, palmitic acid, α-copaene, zingiberene, aromadendrene, farnesol, 2-methylhexane and farnesene which possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, hypolipidemic, mosquito repellant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities. Additionally, the oils exhibited promising antimicrobial potential against the test organisms with Staphylococcus aureus showing the least susceptibility to all the samples. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were completely resistant to the oil obtained by Soxhlet extraction at all tested concentrations. Meanwhile, Klebsiella pneumoniae (20 mm), Proteus vulgaris (18 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17 mm), were most susceptible to the oil obtained by liquid-liquid extraction, cold maceration and soxhlet extraction, respectively. The study highlighted the significance of extraction methods on the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of ginger rhizome oils, underscoring the importance of choosing appropriate extraction techniques to optimize the oils' therapeutic properties for specific medicinal applications.

Preparation and Application of Volatilized Wormwood Essence Derived Naturally into Green Insecticide.

Naturally occurring substances and their derivatives function as vital resources for pesticides that can be used in fields, such as insecticide production and fungicide development. As a botanical entity displaying multifaceted biological functions, wormwood has received thorough scrutiny across multiple sectors. The insect repellency potency combined with antibacterial and antifungal activities of wormwood position it as a potential candidate for prospective development into eco-friendly chemical pesticides. In this research, Wormwood essential oil was procured via ethanol water under ultrasonic scenarios and subsequently diluted with PEG 400 to formulate green chemical pesticides. The defensive efficacy of this green pesticide on plants was validated through 2 weeks of clustered plant growth experiments. Active constituents that exerted their effects were scrutinized by GC-MS. Furthermore, this green pesticide also displays efficacious effects on the prevention and management of aphids, exhibiting a dose-dependent relationship. 4-terpenol, eucalyptol, carvacrol, and L-borneol were identified by GC-MS as the predominant active constituents in this green chemical pesticide. Wormwood can be leveraged to develop green chemical pesticides, which can protect plants without contaminating the environment.

Formulation of Herbal Mosquito Repellent From Essential Oil Extracted Form Citrus Sinensis (Orange)

One of the infectious diseases that still poses a health risk to the society is malaria. Malaria is spread by insects called Anopheles sp. brought on by parasitic plasmodium sp. Owing to their high citric acid concentration, oranges have a sour flavor and a crisp scent. Orange peel essential oils are generally suitable for use as deodorizers with anti-mosquito spray. Due to their dislike of perfumes, mosquitoes can be sent away by orange peels. Oil-soluble (lipophilic) gologan organic molecules called terpenes and terpenoids are found in essential oils. With changes in active components infusion of orange peel F1 (20%), F2 (40%), this study intends to determine the usage of citrus peel waste into mosquito repellent spray compositions as an alternative to malaria prophylaxis