(G12) Maniquis, Liaren Andrea G.

Research
7-Quark

The effectiveness of lemon grass as natural insect repellent

(Science Investigatory Project/Experimental Research)

Firstly, what is Experimental Research? It is a study conducted with a scientific

approach using one or more independent variables, manipulating them and then using
them on one or more dependent variables.

OBJECTIVE:
Our objective in this experimental research is to create a natural insect repellent by
using lemon grass insect repellent to find how effective it is. To make the natural insect
repellent the researchers took the extraction from the lemongrass using steam
distillation.

INTRODUCTION:
The researchers have made a natural insect repellent using lemon grass to
generate an environmentally safe product. Majority of us know that many insect repellents
use toxic chemicals as ingredients for their product, which is harmful to the environment
and is harmful to people. With this information, the researchers provided a natural insect
repellent to avoid the usage of harmful insect repellents.

VARIABLES:
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: Lemon grass insect repellent
DEPENDENT VARIABLE: Extermination of Pests and Insects
CONTROL VARIABLE: Same type and amount of lemon grass, same brand and type
of candy, same amount of water, same process on how the lemon grass insect repellent
is made

HYPOTHESIS:
If lemongrass extract is applied over a subject that is approached by insects, then the
insect will be repelled by the lemongrass extract.

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MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE EXPERIMENT:

 Stainless pot with an integral strainer

 Curve pot cover
 Stainless or steel glass receiving vessel
 20 pieces of lemon grass
 Abundance of ice
 2 pieces of gum
 Water

PROCEDURE:

To extract lemongrass oil using steam distillation with an improvised setup, follow these steps:

1. Place a stainless pot on a heat source that is at a temperature that won't destroy the lemon
grass leaves and fill with water just below the strainer’s bottom.
2. Insert a strainer filled with lemongrass leaves, ensuring a space in the center for the
receiving vessel.
3. Set a curved pot cover upside down over the pot
4. Position the pot cover on the top vertically, aligning its drip tip directly above the
receiving vessel.
5. Load the pot cover with as much ice as possible.
6. Boil the pot for 15-30 minutes.
7. Collect the lemongrass extract from the receiving vessel.

DATA:
 A B

Observation of two candies after 14 minutes. (A) The candy with lemon grass has
no ants at all because the lemon grass repelled the ants. (B) The candy without lemon
grass was approached by ants.

CONCLUSION:
In the experiment the researchers discovered that their hypothesis is correct that
Lemon grass can repel insects away and can be an effective alternative way of repelling
insects naturally.

RECOMMENDATION:
Use natural insect repellent such as lemongrass to prevent harming the
environment and other people.

REFERENCES:
Research Paper:
https://www.slideshare.net/gumbanjohndaniel/the-effectiveness-of-lemon-grass-as-natural-
insect-repellent

https://www.questionpro.com/blog/experimental-research/#:~:text=of%20Experimental
%20Research-,What%20is%20Experimental%20Research%3F,%2C%20for%20example%2C
%20are%20experimental

https://resources.pollfish.com/survey-guides/what-is-experimental-research-how-is-it-significant-
for-your-business/#:~:text=Defining%20Experimental%20Research&text=It%20involves
%20testing%20or%20attempting,one%20or%20more%20dependent%20variables

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/risk/docs/guidance/gw/deetinfo.pdf

https://www.rentokil.com/id/en/services/pest-control-services/my-pest-control-quick-tips/do-
lemongrass-really-works-in-repel-mosquitoes