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International School
Cortalla, Mithz S.
Deluta, Phatricia S.
Fundal, Rendon T.
Guavis, Jaschryle M.
Torres, Elaisse E.
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to utilize the active ingredient Cymbopogon
further evaluate its efficacy and duration, utilizing varying doses of the active ingredient,
and examining the possibility of side effects like allergic reactions such as itchiness,
rash, and redness. With that, the researchers examined if higher concentrations would
possess a significant increase in repellency duration and efficacy rate. With a total of six
groups. The 15 mL and the 22.5 mL doses were the main observed variables in the
study. Three randomly selected participants were allocated to respective groups that
would be testing varying doses of Cymbopogon for a total of 8 hours. As a result, the
when compared to the efficacy of 22.5 mL. However, the study verified that there is a
higher concentrations display longer repellency. With respect to side effects, 66.67% of
the participants have experienced itchiness from the repellent, and no signs of rash or
redness. Therefore, though there is no significant increase in the efficacy rate of 22.5
mL when compared to the 15mL dose of Cymbopogon extract, this study claimed that
carriers of fatal mosquito-borne diseases through bites (Centers for Disease Prevention
and Control [CDC], 2016). And as numerous viral diseases like Zika virus, chikungunya,
yellow fever, and dengue are all transmitted by Aedes aegypti, the appearance of
increasing vectors and water stagnation where insects can proliferate poses serious
risks and threats to the country’s public health (European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control [ECDC], 2016). Given that Aedes aegypti is one of the most predominant
species of mosquito, it is also taken into account that they thrive better indoors and
prefer to propagate in artificial and standing waters. That being said, when usual human
activities that are integrated with water usage are not properly handled, they become
Around the globe, dengue has been recognized as the most rampant
vector-borne disease. And particularly in Southeast Asia, the number of dengue cases
over the course of the previous years has increased in spite of the implementation of
2019). In the Philippines, this disease alone had claimed the lives of 561 people as of
July 13, 2019. Bringing the total number of cases to 130,463 in the year 2019,
individuals infected by this disease suffer from symptoms like headache, joint pain, and
rashes (WHO, 2019). As reported in a severe variant called dengue hemorrhagic fever,
infected individuals experience bleeding, and respiratory difficulties which can be fatal in
rare cases. Hence, as recorded statistics are further analyzed, mosquito-borne diseases
disproportionately affect indigent groups who live in open and unsanitary communities.
diseases. Given that mosquito repellents are known to be volatile chemicals that induce
mosquito repellency when applied to the skin, regular and frequent application of these
products prevents mosquito contact and bites (Diaz, 2016). Moreover, repellents are
functional if used when human activity coincides with the day-to-day activity patterns of
mosquitoes. However, due to the acclimation of insects, synthetic repellents are now
deemed inefficient (Ojewumi, 2018). Aside from that, the American Mosquito Control
Association (n.d.) presents that most of these repellents contain active ingredients such
which are probable to generate environmental risks, high exposure to these chemicals
protection against the host-seeking behavior of mosquitoes. They are obtained through
the knowledge of ethnobotanical studies, which are valuable and reliable sources for the
exhibit a pleasant smell and fresh feeling on the skin, their safer nature is advantageous
studies that examined the efficiency of plant-based mosquito repellent, the plant that
has the highest repellency effect was the extract of Ligusticum Sinense. Followed by
citronella, pine, peppermint, and Rhizophora, the following plant extracts gave a
protection time that ranges from 9.1 to 11.5 hours. Additionally, plant-based essential
oils are produced by extracting them from plants such as broad-leaved eucalyptus,
lavender, and lemongrass, which also exhibited complete mosquito repellency, and a
part of the Poaceae or Gramineae group. It is a perennial plant that grows locally in
West India, while lemongrass oil is typically cultured in tropical and subtropical areas
(Toungos, 2019). Although countries like Peru recommended the use of lemongrass for
abdominal pain (Sissons, 2019). Likewise, it is also reliable for short-term medicine
when applied to the skin (Anngraeni et al., 2018). As the plant is also capable of
eradicating germs, the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus is proven as a substitute for
synthetic fungicides and other sanitation practices. Hence, its high concentration of oil
inhibits the development of fungi in all pathogens (Nyamath and Karthikeyan, 2018).
supply for insecticides and pesticides. With regards to that, a study conducted by Bhatt
and Kale (2019), utilized fabrics as their control measure to examine the repellency rate
of Cymbopogon oil. When the amount of oil was increased from 50 g/l to 100 g/l, the
repellency rate rose from 40% to 70%. Hence, this study proves that, as the amount of
associated with the repellency of mosquitoes. While 20% - 25% of high concentrations
are capable of supplying 100% protection that lasts for an hour, lower concentrations
are more likely to exhibit complete repellency in shorter periods (Tilaye et al., 2018).
of lemongrass oil significantly improves the repellency of the mosquito repellent against
bites Cymbopogon citratus was found to exhibit longer repellency duration and insect
deterrence when compared to Tagetes minuta or Southern Cone Marigold. Seeing that
efficacy of varying doses of Cymbopogon (lemongrass) extract when used as the main
to acquire all essential information that will help formulate answers to the following
questions:
product?
3.1. Itchiness
3.2. Rash
3.3. Redness
Hₐ: There is a significant increase in efficacy between 22.5 mL and 15mL concentration
of Cymbopogon extract.
Methodology
approach is utilized in a study that involves treatments, clusters, and random allocation
of individuals to respective groups. Therefore, this allows the researchers to alter
procedures, and offer each participant an equal chance of being assigned to either
group (Baker 2017; Kabir 2016). Since the primary objective of this study was to
mosquito repellent, this strategy authorized the researchers to uncover the difference
between the efficacy and duration of varying doses, as well as identify the appearance
of allergic reactions caused by the product. Aside from that, the experimental method is
ideal for this study, as the researchers would have to manipulate the concentrations of
Cymbopogon extract in each formulation. With this design, the researchers were able to
compare the data from the present groups; hence, it assisted in analyzing the results
obtained from the participants, and further evaluating the efficacy of specific plant-based
mosquito repellent.
and age, the researchers acquired a total of 6 individuals to participate in the study.
Since the study would compare the efficacy rate of two varying concentrations,
participants were randomly allocated into two groups. One group tested the 15mL
concentration of Cymbopogon extract, while the other one tested the 22.5mL
concentration. In addition to that, due to some restrictions of the ongoing pandemic, this
study was conducted in the local area of the researchers’ household. As contact with
outsiders is limited, the participants of the study only involved the residents of the house
Procedure
With the use of simple random sampling, the researchers performed the
experiment with limited participants to examine the repellency of two varying doses of
Cymbopogon repellent. Additionally, the materials required to formulate the product are
lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), oil, and alcohol. The chopped lemongrass leaves
were submerged in oil and were boiled to make the extract. The first concentration
consisted of 50 percent extract (15mL) and 50 percent alcohol (15mL), whereas in the
alcohol. While solutions were placed in a spray bottle which has a total volume of 30mL,
Therefore, the researchers created two groups; the first group which consisted of
three randomly picked participants utilized the formula with 15mL lemongrass extract,
while the remaining batch used the product with 22.5mL extract. For both trials, which
plant-based mosquito repellent on their arms and legs. Given that the test was
conducted for eight hours, results were gathered every hour to record the difference in
Statistical Analysis
This study utilized a T-test independent sample to calculate the true difference
participants were divided into random groups to see if there is a statistical difference
Aside from that, the researchers conducted prescriptive and descriptive analysis for the
discussion of the obtained data. The prescriptive analysis is a method used in making
decision-making in order to make a prediction by utilizing the obtained data from the test
allows the researchers to explain the phenomena by recognizing patterns from the
acquired data to answer who, for what, where, when, and to what extent (Loeb, et al.,
Results
Six participants were randomly grouped and were given mosquito repellents with
varying concentrations to justify and test the efficacy rate of the plant-based mosquito
repellent. The first randomly selected group which was composed of 3 participants
tested the mosquito repellent with 15 mL Cymbopogon extract, whereas the remaining
group tested the ones with 22.5 mL Cymbopogon extract. For more reliable results, all
Cymbopogon
extract
applied Hours
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
15 mL
1 0 0 0 1 3 3 4 5
2 0 0 0 0 2 4 3 3
3 0 0 0 0 2 2 5 5
Total 0 0 0 1 7 9 12 13
As presented in table 1, all of the participants who tested the mosquito repellent
with 15 mL lemongrass extract had zero mosquito contact for whole three hours.
However, in the 4th hour, one mosquito landed on the legs of the first participant, while
Cymbopogon
extract Hours
applied
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
22.5 mL
1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3
2 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 4
3 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 3
Total 0 0 0 0 1 5 7 10
Table 2 illustrates that participants who tested the higher concentration prolonged
the zero mosquito contact for 4 hours. Meanwhile, a mosquito landed on the 2nd
participant’s elbow, a minute before the 5th hour ended. In the 6th hour, a few
Table 3. Descriptive statistics and T-test independent sample of the efficacy of variables
Variables M SD
extract
extract
*p.<.05
The researchers utilized descriptive statistics to summarize the information of the
data, and a t-test independent sample to determine whether the 22.5mL possesses a
greater efficacy rate than 15mL. In each amount of concentration, the total number of
mosquitoes that landed each participant per hour was obtained. As a result, there is no
(M = 2.88, SD = 3.94) concentration; t(14) = .98, p = .17. The given result illustrates that
addition, the calculated Cohen's d is .49, which indicates a moderate effect size.
mosquito contact)
15 mL 1 3
2 4
3 4
22.5 mL 4 5
5 4
6 5
exhibited differences in the time duration of the repellency. Participants under the 15 mL
treatment group received repellent protection for 3 to 4 hours, whereas those in the 22.5
mL treatment group received protection for 4 to 5 hours before landing attempts
occurred.
Group
Participant Itchiness Rash Redness
15 mL 1 Yes No No
2 No No No
3 Yes No No
22.5 mL 4 Yes No No
5 Yes No No
6 No No No
Table 5.1. Percentage of the Allergic reactions associated with the variables
Rash 0% 100%
Redness 0% 100%
Moreover, the researchers observed if the participants will encounter any allergic
reactions such as itchiness, rash, and redness when the lemongrass-based repellent
was applied to the skin. To emphasize, none of the respondents experienced mosquito
bites. As a result, four out of six individuals (66.67%) experienced mild itchiness after
applying the repellent, while the two (33.33%) did not. Six out of six (100%) subjects, on
the other hand, did not experience any skin rash or redness.
Discussion
dense areas and vulnerable individuals’ health. Hence, in order to prevent acquiring and
the spread of the disease. This study aimed to determine if an increased concentration
of Cymbopogon extract will yield a greater efficacy rate .For the participants’ safety, the
researchers decided to identify whether there are any allergic reactions that might occur
once the product comes in contact with the skin. And among the six participants, only
four (66.67%) of them encountered itchiness. While there are zero reports of skin rash
and redness.
not exhibit greater efficacy than the ones with lower concentrations. However, it is
emphasized that both doses exhibit enough efficacy to prevent mosquito bites for the
whole eight hours. Furthermore, the repellency duration and concentration are also one
of the matters of concern. In this study, results show that 22.5mL displayed a greater
repellency duration than 15 mL. That being said, various research has supported these
that the higher the concentration, the longer the mosquitos will be repelled. As stated in
their findings, 0.5 mL concentration repelled mosquitoes within 1–2 hours of application,
1 mL repelled mosquitoes within 3–5 hours, and 1.5 mL repelled within 6 hours, while
no mosquitoes landed.
consider that the intensity of the extract is relevant to the duration of repellency. In a
elicited 100% mosquito repellency for 2.5 hours and 4.0 hours respectively. All things
considered, the descriptive statistics and t-test independent sample proved that while
association with the duration of repellency, as the higher concentration exhibited longer
repellency duration.
Conclusion
This study investigated the efficacy of Cymbopogon when utilized as the main
ingredient of mosquito repellent. While using a higher and a lower dose, the research
of Cymbopogon extract, higher concentrations did not display any increase in efficacy
concentrations exhibited longer repellency duration. Therefore, the null hypothesis (Hₒ)
was accepted in terms of examining the difference between the efficacy of varying
efficacy, the 22.5 mL possesses anti-mosquito protection for 4 to 5 hours; thus, the
study proved that higher concentrations are associated with longer repellency duration.
doses to prolong the duration and lessen reapplication throughout the day.
product was only tested limitedly in the local area, specifically in the researchers'
households. With limited accessible settings for the experiment, the product was only
tested in an outdoor setting, while the participants of the study were also limited to
volunteer household members. As participants were very limited, the product was not
This study aims to motivate individuals to use organic and plant-based repellents
to minimize the possible health and environmental risks that can be acquired from
the chemical DEET contain N, and N Diethyl 3 Methylbenzamide, studies proved that it
may pose risks to health, affecting the central nervous system. (Gershenzon and
Dudareva, 2007, as cited in Maia and Moore, 2011). That being said, exposure to
chemicals can lead to long-term health effects such as skin rashes, eye irritation, and
itching. Using an instrument with botanical derivatives aids reduce the risk of health and
is a much safer alternative than chemical-based repellents. Given that the majority of
plants contain compounds responsible for preventing insects from attacking them,
Maia and Moore, 2011; Harrewjin et al., 1995, as cited in Maia and Moore, 2011).
mosquitoes for generations. That being said, this study implies that in order to extend
must be utilized. Considering that lemongrass mosquito repellents are affordable, can
Furthermore, for the studies that will be conducted in the same field, it is suggested to
perform the test in various indoor and outdoor settings to test the product’s actual
effectiveness and duration. Additionally, having more participants in the test will yield
more accurate results, as this will enable us to thoroughly compare the efficiency of
variances of lemongrass extract per hour. With the results showing a positive effect, this
while assisting public health with its fight against mosquitoes-borne diseases.
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