Abstract:
Abstract
Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practices as a personal
protection measures against host seeking insects like mosquitoes. Knowledge on traditional
repellent plants obtained through ethnobotanical studies, is a valuable resource for the
development of natural and environmental safe products. Recently, commercial repellents
containing plant based ingredients have gained increasing popularity among customers. These
are commonly perceived as ‘safe’ in comparison to long-established synthetic repellents,
although this is sometimes misconceptions. To the date insufficient studies have followed
standard with pesticides evaluation scheme guideline for repellent testing. There is need for
further standardized studies in orders to better the evaluation repellent compounds and develop
new product that offer high repellence as well as good customers safety. In this study, essential
oils were extracted from chamomile, garlic and custard apple as insect repellent. The plants
samples were randomly collected from the market places where they are available, packaged
and brought to the laboratory ready for extraction and analysis. The essential oils as insect
repellents was extracted from camomile, garlic and custard apple using hydro distillation, the
essential oils was characterised and quantified using FTIR. Also, the insect repelling properties
of the extracted oils was determined using a double choice method. The percentage yield for
the essential oils from the three species was calculated from the relation between the essential
oil mass obtained and the raw material used. FTIR analysis of the extracted essential oils
showed the presence of various functional groups. The field repellent results indicated
difference in susceptibility of volatile chemicals among the species of the tested insects.
