Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is one of the world's health problems.

Study of the effect of mosquito

repellents has an important role in preventing the spread of mosquito vectors. Mosquito repellent
based on essential oils is a potential alternative to be developed as an effort to prevent mosquito
vectors. Cymbopogon winterianus is a plant that produces citronella oil and is abundant in Indonesia.
Citronella oil is known to have three main components, namely citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol.
These three compounds have been known to have potential as mosquito repellents. Formulation of
cream, spray, and solution from citronella oil as mosquito repellent has widely investigated but research
on gel air freshener formulation and its effectivity is still lacking. This research focus on the optimization
of gel mosquito repellent formulation based on 1% citronella oil with additional ingredients of
carrageenan (1.5-3.0%), gum (0.5%), sodium benzoate (0.3-1.0%), ethylene glycol (1%), polysorbate 20
(0.2-0.5%), sodium chloride (1%), and distilled water (90-93%).

Tabel 1. Formulation of gel air freshener

Percentage (%b/b)
Component
I II III IV V VI
Citronella oil 1 1 1 1 1 1
Carrageenan 3 2,5 1,5 2,5 2 1,5
Gum 0,5 1 0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5
Sodium benzoate 0,3 0,3 0,3 1 1 1
Ethylene glycol 1 1 1 1,5 2 2
Polysorbate 20 0,2 0,2 0,5 0,5 0,5 1
Sodium chloride 1 1 1 1 1 1
Distilled water 93 93 94,2 92 92 92

Result:
The results show that formula I has the best release control with an R 2 value of 0.9993 and has the
longest shelf life, which is 16.82 days (Table 2).

Tabel 2. Release control and shelf life

Formula Citronellal Citronellol Geraniol
R2 Shelf life R2 Shelf life R2 Shelf life
(day) (day) (day)
I 0,8824 1,36 0,9323 12,77 0,9699 16,82
II 0,9993 15,06 0,4808 CBD 0,4808 CBD
III 0,9891 22,40 0,9695 1,62 0,3952 CBD
IV 0,7500 CBD 0,4696 CBD 0,5057 CBD
V 0,3952 CBD 0,9845 1,12 0,4606 CBD
VI 0,3952 CBD 0,9308 4,04 0,8834 11,33
CBD: cannot be determined
The results on the percentage of syneresis at a temperature of 35 °C showed that formula I had the best
resistance among other formulas with a syneresis value of 77.11% after 72 hours with a pH value of 5.47
(Table 3).

Tabel 3. Percentage of syneresis

Formula % syneresis
5°C 35°C
24 h 48 h 72 h 24 h 48 h 72 h
I 29,88 53,81 71,29 26,31 50,69 77,11
II 25,10 39,75 57,73 27,03 50,89 69,32
III 29,12 44,60 55,64 30,66 52,05 71,29
IV 42,99 65,50 75,34 28,06 46,80 69,66
V 34,44 57,64 69,93 33,01 50,50 69,15
VI 5,03 10,15 16,70 26,14 43,70 62,73

In the physicochemical test, formula I showed the smallest specific gravity (0.0016) and an
average viscosity of 34,369 cP (Table 5). The low specific gravity and viscosity values indicate the product
is lighter, easy to apply in the room, and easy to shape. Formula I is the optimal formula in terms of
physical, chemical resistance, and control of the release of the active substance of citronella oil.

Tabel 4. Physicochemical test

Formula Specific gravity Viscosity (cP) pH at certain temperature
5°C 35°C
I 0,0016 34369 5,08 5,47
II 0,0037 47125 5,08 5,50
III 0,0044 37419 5,91 6,43
IV 0,0051 97930 7,35 6,35
V 0,0135 54425 5,23 5,55
VI 0,0063 35929 6,00 6,69

Conclusion:

Formula I showed the most optimal result with low viscosity (34.369 cP) and high syneresis (syneresis of
77.11% after 72 h with pH 5.47). The present invention produces a gel with a controlled release of the
active component for a prolonged period, a long shelf life, high Aedes aegypti mosquito repellent
activity and good pH and syneresis resistance even at extreme temperatures. Thus, it is hoped that this
mosquito repellent gel will be more accepted by consumers. This invention is also expected to support
the national health program in the prevention of dengue fever caused by mosquito vectors.