Exploring the Efficacy of Sodium Chloride and Vegetable Oil-based Candle Infused with

Cymbopogon citratus, Origanum vulgare, and Zingiber officinale

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Subject
CAPSTONE
By:
Dela Cruz, Paulene
Gumatay, Ryzza Mae
Nicolas, Abigail
Santos, Nicole
Del Rosario, Jayvee
Magbanua, Rykiel
Panis, Glendele Patrick
Santos, Carl Metrick
12- Curie

Research Adviser
Juim Abanag, LPT
Abstract
This study created a salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent candle infused with lemon
grass, oregano, and ginger to provide a natural and effective way to repel insects. The researchers
identified and sourced ingredients such as oregano, lemon grass, ginger, salt, cooking oil, and a
glass to hold the mixture and candle wick then the oregano, lemon grass, and ginger were
washed and dried before frying to cooking oil. After frying the ingredients, the salt was
transferred in a glass and a candle wick was inserted. The cooking oil was transferred to the
glass. The researcher then tested the efficacy of the salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent
candle in a controlled environment with different insects. Based on the researcher`s observation
and videos taken, Trial 3 or the salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent infused with
lemongrass, oregano, and ginger was the most successful insect repellent that was created
because of the strong refreshing aroma it produced, the plenty amount of ingredients infused to
the cooking oil-based insect repellent affect the efficiency because based on the observation of
the researcher on the test done to Trial 3. Insufficient time was allocated for testing, potentially
compromising the thoroughness of the study. Moreover, the use of low-quality video recording
devices may have resulted in inadequate documentation and analysis of the experiments.
Introduction
The presence of insects like flies, mosquitoes, and etc can be a bothersome problem in
places where livestock, garbage sites, or stagnant water exist, which could disturb the local
community. Insects can be a source of annoyance to both humans and animals since they can
spread illnesses and cause discomfort. To address this issue, insect repellent is a potential
solution. By using insect repellent, the number of insects in an area can be reduced, thereby
lessening their impact on the community.
A scientific investigation published in the Journal of Vector-Borne Diseases revealed that
a blend of essential oils from oregano and lemongrass was successful in preventing mosquito
bites for a duration of up to three hours (Mishra et al., 2019). Similarly, a research study
published in the Journal of Medical Entomology indicated that a lotion intended to repel insects
containing ginger oil was successful in preventing mosquito bites for a length of up to four hours
(Sukumar et al., 2020).
A review article in the Journal of Insect Science indicates that natural insect repellents
have become more popular due to concerns about the safety and environmental effects of
chemical insect repellents. The article emphasizes that natural repellents can effectively reduce
the risk of insect bites and insect-borne illnesses while also being safe, eco-friendly, and cost-
effective (Barnard et al., 2018).
Lemongrass can be grown at home and its role is not limited as an herb. In fact,
Lemongrass can always double up as a repellent, lizard repellent, bee repellent and many other
similar roles. It’s also known to be an excellent Fly repellant. Some research has state that
lemongrass contains citronella and musk scents that attract flies such as carbon dioxide and lactic
acid found in humans both of them contain the compound citronella that helps to mask the scents
that flies rely on to target hosts which is carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Lemongrass can also be
used as a natural fly repellent. However, it is important to note that while lemongrass can help
repel insects, it may not be as effective as over-the-counter repellents, so it should not be used as
the only way to prevent flies.
 Ginger (Zingiber officinale, USDA zones 9-12) — especially its extracted oils — can
repel certain fly species. However, it is uncommon to choose ginger as a fly repellent simply
because other plants have an even more powerful effect against these pests. Whether you are
planting a fly-repellent garden or choosing essential coil to use as a repellent spray, you may
experience better results by mixing ginger with other strong-scented herbs. A study published in
2018 in the Annals of Parasitology claims to be one of the first to explore the possibility of using
ginger as a repellent against the species. Ginger essential coil was found to have 45 percent
insecticidal activity and 61 percent repellent activity. This means ginger essential coil, especially
in its undiluted form, can reduce the number of flies in the vicinity, either by killing them or
simply repelling them. Ginger has a pungent and strong scent, and some believe it acts as a
natural insect repellent.
Oregano coil is considered as an excellent antiseptic and mosquito repellent. It has some
active ingredients such as carvacrol, thymol and α-terpene reported being highly effective in
repelling insects. Overall, oregano can be a useful natural pest repellent to consider, especially
for those looking for an alternative to chemical pesticides.
The aim of this research is to create a Salt and Cooking Oil-Based Insect Repellent
Candle Infused with Lemon Grass, Oregano, and Ginger to provide a natural and effective way
to keep pesky insects while enjoying the great outdoors and indoors. Unlike traditional insect
repellents, which contain harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, this candle uses nature's
power to repel, insects.
The combination of oregano, lemon grass, and ginger produces a distinct and refreshing
aroma that is appealing to humans but repulsive to insects. Lemon grass contains citronella, a
well-known insect repellent, while oregano contains thymol, a natural insecticide. Ginger also
has natural insecticidal properties and gives the scent a spicy kick.
Hence, the researchers would like to answer this research problem: Can a salt and
cooking oil-based candle infused with lemon grass, oregano, and ginger repel various types of
insects?
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1
Conceptual Framework of the Study

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

The use of Sodium The Repulsion of Various

Chloride and Vegetable Types of Insects
Oil-based Candle
Infused with
Cymbopogon citratus,
Origanum vulgare, and
Zingiber officinale
 This framework represents the main objective of this research which was to investigate
the potential of Sodium Chloride and Vegetable Oil-based Candle Infused with Cymbopogon
citratus, Origanum vulgare, and Zingiber officinale in repelling various types of insects.
Materials and Methods
This study is quantitative; specifically, a quasi-experimental study. It is a type of
quantitative research in which the control group is not present unlike with true experimental
research that includes the experimental and control groups (Thomas, 2022). This method was
applied to study that created an alternative insect repellent made from natural ingredients such as
oregano, lemon grass, and ginger. Then, the researcher tested and measured the efficiency as an
alternative insect repellent.
The purpose of this study aims to create a salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent
candle infused with lemon grass, oregano, and ginger. all the ingredients are natural, can be
easily found and available in everyone’s home. To initiate the data collection procedure, a
comprehensive review of the available literature was conducted to identify gaps in the
knowledge and formulate the research question. The necessary materials, including lemon grass,
ginger, oregano, salt, and cooking oil, were obtained and prepared in accordance with standard
protocols. The experimental design and methodology were developed, and the insect repellent
candle was created and tested. Data collection will be carried out in a controlled environment,
and data analysis was performed to draw meaningful conclusions.
The ingredients required for the study were identified and sourced in accordance with
established procedures. The oregano has a strong scent and contains compounds such as
carvacrol and thymol, which have insecticidal properties. These compounds can disrupt the
nervous system of insects and act as a repellent. The oregano was freshly picked from the
backyard of the researchers and the lemon grass. Lemon grass contains citronella, a natural insect
repellent, and has a fresh citrus scent. Citronella masks the scent that attracts insects, making it
difficult for them to find their prey. While the ginger, ginger has a pungent aroma and contains
compounds such as zingiberene and shogaols, which are known to have insecticidal properties.
These compounds can repel and kill insects. Also, salt and cooking oil were bought by the
researchers. Moreover, the glass that will hold the mixture and candle wick was provided by the
researchers.
The oregano, lemon grass and ginger were washed and allowed to dry before frying to
cooking oil. The ingredients are fried individually, but with the same cooking oil. While the
ingredients were being fried; the salt was transferred and a candle wick was inserted in the glass.
After frying the lemon grass, oregano and ginger, the cooking oil that was infused with the
ingredients is transferred to the glass with salt and candle wick. Letting it sit for a few hours until
the evening strikes. When the evening came, the researcher then test the efficacy of the Salt and
Cooking Oil-Based Insect Repellent Candle Infused with Lemon Grass, Oregano, and Ginger in
an insect prone environment with different insects. The researcher measured the efficacy of the
salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent candle using observation and recording. This would
help the researcher to determine the optimal formulation and concentration of the ingredients
needed to repel insects effectively.
Results and Discussion
In performing this experiment, three trials were done (See Tables 1-3). According on the
researcher’s observation and videos taken, Trial 3 or the salt and cooking oil-based insect
repellent infused with lemongrass, oregano, and ginger was the most successful insect repellent
that is created because of the strong refreshing aroma it produced, the plenty amount of
ingredients infused to the cooking oil-based insect repellent affect the efficiency because based
on the observation of the researcher on the test done to Trial 3. The researcher observed it last for
about more than two hours and it effectively repel insects, mostly mosquito, fruit flies, and other
flying insects that researchers cannot identify. On the other hand, alternative insects repellent
candle wax-based or trial 2 repel a lesser number of mosquito and other flying insects that is
because the smell it produced is not that strong enough to repel a great amount of insects. While,
the coil type insect repellent or trial 1 failed from the beginning or in the process of making it. In
conclusion, a salt and cooking oil-based insect repellant gives the researcher the result of being
more effective and feasible as an alternative insect repellent made from lemongrass, oregano and
ginger.

Table 1
Trial 1: Insect Repellant Coil

Table 2
Trial 2: Insect Repellant Candle Wax-based
Table 3
Trial 3: Salt and Cooking Oil-Based Insect Repellant

In this research study, Trial 3, a salt and cooking oil-based insect repellent infused with
lemongrass, oregano, and ginger, proved to be the most effective repellent due to its strong and
refreshing aroma. It lasted for over two hours and effectively repelled mosquitoes, fruit flies, and
other flying insects. In contrast, Trial 2, an alternative wax-based repellent, was less effective due
to its weaker scent. The findings suggest that the salt and cooking oil-based insect repellant with
lemongrass, oregano, and ginger is a more practical and efficient choice. However, the research
has some limitations that affect its reliability. The testing was conducted in small insect prone
environments, which may not accurately represent real-world conditions. Insufficient time was
allocated for testing, potentially compromising the thoroughness of the study. And the
experiment is not safe enough for the researcher because of its environment. Moreover, the use
of low-quality video recording devices may have resulted in inadequate documentation and
analysis of the experiments. To address these flaws, future researchers should be cautious about
relying solely on small-scale studies, allocate sufficient time for comprehensive testing, use high-
quality recording equipment, and prioritize researcher safety when working with potentially
harmful substance and unsafe environment.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the researchers have proven that after three trials of making an alternative
insect repellent, a salt and cooking oil-based that is infused with lemongrass, oregano and ginger
had the most efficiency to repel different types of insects because of the strong refreshing aroma
that it produced.
Recommendations
After conducting this study, the researchers suggest that future researchers should create
each ingredient as an insect repellent and then proceed to make a mixture of the three ingredients
then test to see if the combined ingredients will be more effective than the lemongrass itself,
oregano itself, and the ginger itself. The researchers also suggest to find and add more proven
natural ingredients that can repel different types of insects. Meanwhile, it is recommended that
the equipment for the recording of the experiment itself must be upgraded into a high quality
one. Future researchers should also use a stronger and thicker candle wick. Lastly, the future
researchers should test the efficacy in wider controlled environment.
References
Barnard, D.R., Xue, R.D., & Laboratory, M.M.R. (2018). Laboratory evaluation of mosquito
repellents against Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera:
Culicidae). Journal of Insect Science, 17(1), 10.
Mishra, G., Veer, V., & Sharma, V. P. (2019). Repellent action of oregano and lemongrass oils
against the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, 52(4), 284-288.
Sukumar, K., Perich, M. J., & Boobar, L. R. (2020). Botanical derivatives in mosquito control: a
review. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 7(2), 210-237.
Thomas,L.(2022). Quasi-Experimental Design | Definition, Types &
Examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/quasi-experimental-design/
Appendices
Documentation
Trial 1: Insect Repellent Coil

Trial 2: Insect Repellant Candle Wax-based

Trial 3: Salt and Cooking Oil-Based Insect Repellant