Isabela State University

Ilagan Campus
Ilagan City, Isabela
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY
Department of Engineering S. Y 2023-2024

The Effectiveness of Lemon Grass Oil as an

Alternative Insect Repellent

A Hypothesis Proposal
Presented to:
Mr. Jake B. Macarubbo

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirement for the Subject
Science, Technology and Society (GEC 6)

By:
Magundayao, Jonald A.
Fillon, Jhoemhar B.
Sumisim, Al Peter B.

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 INTRODUCTION
This study aims to create an effective repellent that can be equal to commercially sold
ones. The oil is made out of lemongrass, herbs that are easy to grow and take care of.
Because of the existing insect related diseases, the researchers wanted to be able to make a
product which is affordable, or can be made by the populace. The herb lemongrass has a lot
of benefits. It can be antibacterial, a pain reliever and many more. It can also be used in
cooking, specifically in Asian cuisine.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The review of literature for this study focuses on the qualities, advantages and
effectiveness of Lemongrass as a Natural Insect Repellent. Using Lemongrass as an insect
repellent with its appealing aroma and overall effectiveness were visible through the linked
investigations. The following elements are further examined related to with the study:

Lemongrass has insecticidal

properties and the extracted oil
is used as
insect repellent. Its
extracted will help repel
mosquitoes. The oil of the
lemongrass is extracted by
steam distillation which is
simply by pouring boiling

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water over foliage (Cruz,
2004)
Lemongrass has insecticidal properties and the extracted oil is used as insect repellent.
Its extracted will help repel mosquitoes. The oil of the lemon grass is extracted by
steam distillation which is simply by pouring boiling water over foliage (Cruz, 2004).
As stated by (organicfacts.net), some health benefits that lemongrass oil gives are
analgesic, meaning they relieve pain. The oil is also an anti-depressant, at the same time
antibacterial.
Aegis Pest Service states that, “Unlike the DEET insect repellent spray; which can be
poisonous, lemongrass is organic and safe. It is also registered in the list of EPA-GRAS, or
what the Environmental Protection Agency considers generally safe. It doesn’t contain any
chemical substances that may irritate a sensitive skin immediately.
According to (Fernandez, 2013), it is stated that another certain benefit of making
lemongrass as an insect repellent is its financial benefit, it is said that some bottle of
lemongrass insect repellent costs Php 40.00 it is highly affordable than the other chemical
insect repellent that can be brought in the market.
As said by the (healthvermont.gov), natural insect repellents are safer than DEET
components of a repellent. The benefit of natural insect/mosquito repellent such as catnip,
citronella, and lemongrass is that they can drive insects away because of their sweet and
strong smell, herbs that contain these essential oils and other components that the insects
dislike are effective in keeping the insects away, it is safer to say that children (that use these
natural repellents) can play in the backyard and can do activities outdoors without worrying
about insect bites.
Lemongrass as an insect repellent is relatively effective, and its oil finds widespread
use on its own or in combination with other similar compounds. Lemongrass should deter
many bugs from ruining a nice night on the deck or a fun day of playing in the backyard.
Lemongrass as a mosquito repellent works, though not as well as the strong, potentially
harmful chemicals in commercial insecticides. The plant is also effective on ants and it helps
prevent ant-borne diseases like E. Coli and Salmonella (Johnson, 2019).
According to (George et. al., 2006), it is stated that there are some studies that in oils
like lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, cedar, citronella, geranium and other mosquito-
repellent plants will keep insects away for between thirty minutes and two hours. Generally
speaking, these oils can be used topically without issue.
It should be noted that pure lemongrass oil can be hazardous to human skin. However,
for safe use, you must dilute lemongrass oil with water or even alcohol (Aegis Pest Services,
LTC., 2018).
In summary, the main ingredient in lemongrass that has the ability to repel insects is
lemongrass oil. Lemongrass repellant has many advantages, including economical and health
benefits due to its price. To ensure safe usage, combine the lemongrass oil with alcohol and
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water. Moreover, the components of lemongrass that provide a substitute insect repellent are
demonstrated by these connected investigations.

There are some studies that in

oils like lemongrass, lavender,
peppermint,
cedar, citronella, geranium and
other mosquito- repellent
plants will keep insects
away for between thirty
minutes and two hours.
Generally speaking, these oils
can be used topically without
issue (George et. al., 200
Lemongrass has insecticidal
properties and the extracted oil
is used as

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insect repellent. Its
extracted will help repel
mosquitoes. The oil of the
lemongrass is extracted by
steam distillation which is
simply by pouring boiling
water over foliage (Cruz,
2004)
Lemongrass has insecticidal
properties and the extracted oil
is used as
insect repellent. Its
extracted will help repel
mosquitoes. The oil of the

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lemongrass is extracted by
steam distillation which is
simply by pouring boiling
water over foliage (C
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
 Concentration of Lemongrass Oil:
Different concentrations of
lemongrass oil may be used to test
their effectiveness as insect
repellents.
 Application Method: You can vary
how the lemongrass oil is applied,
such as in a spray, lotion, or diffuser,
to see if this affects its effectiveness.
 Exposure Duration: You can
manipulate the amount of time
subjects are exposed to insects to see
if longer exposure affects the
repellent's effectiveness.
 Environmental Conditions: Different
environmental conditions, like
temperature, humidity, and wind,
could be independent variables to
test how they impact lemongrass
oil's performance.
 Type of Insects: Testing the
repellent's effectiveness against
various types of insects, like
mosquitoes, flies, or ants, could be
an independent variable.
HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
Alternative Hypothesis:
There is a significant difference in using lemongrass oil as an effective natural
alternative insect repellent.
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DEPENDENT VARIABLE
 Insect Bites: Measure the number of
insect bites experienced by
participants when using Lemon
Grass Oil compared to when not
using it.
 Duration of Protection: Assess how
long the Lemon Grass Oil provides
protection from insect bites
compared to traditional insect
repellents.
 Skin Irritation: Record any skin
irritation or allergic reactions caused
by the Lemon Grass Oil, if any.
 Effect on Different Insect Species:
Evaluate the repellent's effectiveness
against specific insects, such as
mosquitoes, flies, or ticks.
 User Satisfaction: Gather feedback
from participants on their
satisfaction and comfort when using
Lemon Grass Oil as a repellent
Null Hypothesis:
There is no significant difference in using lemongrass oil as an effective
natural alternative insect repellent.

RESEARCH DESIGN
In this study we propose a theoretical framework. This framework aims to explore
whether the use of lemon grass oil as a repellent is effective. Our goal is to create an effective
repellent that can be equal to commercially sold ones. The primary focus is to know if the
lemon grass oil is effective or not. Particular attention will be directed examining the factors
that influence the effectiveness of it.

PREDICTED OUTCOME
Based on the findings, lemon grass oil is effective to drive away mosquito. Due to the
results gathered, we, the researchers concluded that lemon grass repellent perfume is effective
in repelling the deadly mosquitoes. The product could be a great help to the industry and also
to the consumers.

SUPPORTING STUDIES

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The following are the findings based on the data gathered:
Lemon grass oil is an essential oil used in deodorants, herbal teas, skin care products,
fragrances, insect repellents, and for aromatherapy. Lemon grass and closely related species
belonging to the genus Cymbopogon are popular used as insect repellents and various
experimental studies support its use as an insecticide of insect repellant. Lemon grass is an
important essential oil yielding plant. The plant yields lemon grass oil of commerce after
steam distillation of its leaves. And this oil used as insect repellent. One of the important
constituent of the oil is citral. Citral is therefore an aroma compound used in perfumery for its
citrus effect. Citral is also used as a flavor and for fortifying lemon oil. It also has strong
antimicrobial qualities, and pheromonal effects in insects.

Citral has a toxic effect on the sensory nervous system in insect antennae that affect
the behavior and physiology of insects. And another important constituent of lemon grass oil
is the citronella. Citronella oil is also renowned plant-based insect repellent, and has been
registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The United States Environmental
Protection Agency considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of
action. And this biopesticide are naturally occurring substance that control or directly kill or

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inactive the insects or pests especially the mosquito. With these two constituents of lemon
grass, it can repel the insects away and protect us from insect bites and vector- borne disease.

CONCLUSION
We, the researchers therefore conclude that lemongrass oil can be an effective alternative
for commercially sold insect repellents because of the following:

1. The goal of the research was achieved by the product.

2. The product has successfully repelled the insects during the test.
3. The effectiveness of the oil was able to be on par with commercially sold insect
repellents.

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