CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
RATIONALE
Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the earth. They pollinate plants, disperse
seeds, aid in the decomposition of dead organisms, and provide food for other animals.
Insects offer a range of valuable goods, including honey,colors, waxes, and silk, and are a
great source of protein for people and livestock.Some 900 thousand different kinds of living
insects are known. This representation approximates 80 percent of the world's species.
From studies conducted by Terry Erwin, the number of living species of insects has been
estimated to be 30 million. At any time, it is estimated that there are some 10 quintillion
individual insects alive.
The mosquito is one of the most lethal animals on earth and has been involved in the
spread of many diseases from time immemorial. According to The World Health
Organization (2020), Disease-causing insects are thought to kill 700,000 people each year.
Dengue, the most prevalent viral infection,causes 40,000 deaths every year. Kissing bugs,
which transmit the parasite that causes Chagas disease, are two more disease-carrying
insects.
Every year, many million people die from mosquito-borne diseases around the world.
Insect repellent is an effective way to keep mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and other
bugs at bay. Most insect repellents on the market are loaded with harmful chemicals,
including DEET. Which is harmful to human, that even the EPA recommends washing it off
the skin when one is already indoors, avoid breathing it in, and not spraying it directly on
one’s face. DEET is the active ingredient in some common repellents widely used to repel
biting pests such as mosquitos and ticks. DEET formulations can be added to sprays or
mists, lotions and wipes. A significant benefit of DEET is better protection against illnesses
transmitted by mosquitos or ticks.
Using homemade insect repellants, the risk or risk of skin infection is reduced. Plant-based
repellents have been utilized as a personal protection measure against host-seeking
mosquitoes for generations. It is safe not only for adults, but alsoto the children, due to the
absence of toxic chemicals.Based on Junaid U. Rehman, Data of repellency produced from
the bioassay systems is difficult to quantify because of different parameters, testing system
and standards of material used against mosquitoes. There is a need to develop an alternate
in vitro bioassays system that can address the problems of uniformity of the results.
Lemongrass is a herb that may be cultivated at home and has several uses. It can be used as
a mosquito repellent, lizard repellent,bee repellent,and a variety of other applications.
According to a study conducted by Maia,M.F.&Moore,S.J.(2011), the powerful odor of lemon
grasses killed or completely repelled roughly 95 percent of mosquitoes. Lemongrass has
essentially no pest problems in the Midwest. Propagate lemongrass by root or plant
division. You may be able to root grocery store specimens in water or potting medium.
Roots should form within two or three weeks if they are going to.
Garlic (AlliumSativa) is a grassy-looking plant with long, papery leaves and a papery hood
surrounding the blossoms. The presence of the botanical extract naturally repels insects.
Garlic is an all-natural substance that doesn't harm beneficial insects in residential
environments. Garlic's properties result from a combination of variety biologically active
substances. Compounds contained in garlic synergistically influence each other so that they
can have different effects. Garlic is widely used as a food ingredient spice and aphrodisiac
in many cuisines.
Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus) is extracted from the leaves of a tree. It can be used as
an influential element in mosquito repellant. diluted, it can also be used on the skin to treat
health issues likearthritis and skin ulcers. Eucalyptus oil is used as an essential oil with a
diffuser for aromatherapy health benefits. It has been authorized by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) as an influential element in mosquito repellant. A study of
Frances et al found it provided morethan95 percent mosquito protection for three hours.
Olive oil (Olea europaea)it leaves extract has been used for centuries to produce oil, diet
and medicines. The olive leaves extract (OLE) was investigated thoroughly to identify its
phytochemical components and its bio activities, since it showed remarkable
pharmacological effect for prevention and treatment experimentally induced metabolic
diseases A study conducted by Soonwera, M. & Phasomkusolsil, S. (2015) found that the
combination of lemongrass oil and olive oil indicates 98% protection against the southern
house mosquitos. People usually use olive oil in cooking, cosmetics ,medicines ,and so on.
The purpose of this study is to determine which of the combinations and ratios will be
effective as a natural insect repellent: the combination of Cymbopogon, Allium Sativus,
Eucalyptusglobulus, and Olea europaea. Because of the high prevalence of insect-borne
disease cases around the world, the researchers plan to develop an effective natural insect
repellent. Based on the findings of this study, the researchers hope to reduce the number of
insect-borne disease cases.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
oil as a natural insect repellent. Lemon grass extract will be combined with garlic (Allium
sativum), eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus), and olive oil (Olea europaea) to create a
natural insect repellent that will be compared to commercial insect repellents. The findings
of this study will serve as the foundation for recommendations.
This specifically answer the following questions:
1. Could there be a substantial difference in the efficacy of the proposed natural oil
repellents against mosquitoes (Aedesaegypti) at the concentrations listed below?
a. 50%lemon grass;15%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;15%oliveoil,
b. 45%lemon grass; 10%garlic; 20%eucalyptusoil; 20%oliveoil,
c. 40%lemon grass;20%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
d. 50%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
e. Negative control?
2. Is there a large difference inside the efficacy of the proposed herbal oil repellent for
flies (Diptera) when the concentrations listed under are used?
a. 50%lemon grass;15%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;15%oliveoil,
b. 45%lemon grass;10%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
c. 40%lemon grass;20%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
d. 5%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
e. Negative control
3. Is there a statistically significant difference in the efficacy of the proposed natural oil
repellant ants (Formicidae) when the following concentrations are used?
a. 50%lemon grass; 15%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil; 15%oliveoil,
b. 45%lemon grass;10%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
c. 40%lemon grass;20%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
d. 50%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
e. Negative control
4. Is there a substantial difference in the effectiveness of the proposed natural insect
repellent and Is there a commercial insect repellent?
4.1. Mosquitoes(Aedesaegypti)
4.2. Flies(Diptera)
4.3. Ants (Formicidae)
Statement of the Null Hypotheses
H01. There is no significant difference on the effectiveness of the proposed
natural oil repellent on mosquitoes (Aedesaegypti) using the following
concentrations:
f. 50%lemon grass;15%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;15%oliveoil,
g. 45% lemon grass;10%garlic; 20%eucalyptusoil;20% oliveoil,
h. 40%lemon grass;20%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
i. 50%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
j. Negative control.
H02.There is no significant difference on the effectiveness of the proposed natural
oil repellent on flies (Diptera) using the following concentrations:
a. 50%lemon grass;15%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;15%oliveoil,
b. 45%lemon grass;10%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
c. 40%lemon grass; 20%garlic; 20% eucalyptusoil; 20%oliveoil,
d. 50%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
e. Negative control.
H03.There is no significant difference on the effectiveness of the proposed natural oil
repellent on ants (Formicidae) using the following concentrations:
a. 50%lemon grass; 15%garlic;20%eucalyptusoil; 15%oliveoil,
b. 45%lemon grass;10%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
c. 40%lemon grass;20%garlic;20% eucalyptus oil;20%oliveoil,
d. 50%lemon grass; 25%eucalyptus oil;25%oliveoil,
e. Negative control.
H04. Is there a significant difference in the effectiveness between the proposed
Natural insect repellent and commercial insect repellenton:
4.1 Mosquitoes(Aedesaegypti)
4.2 Flies(Diptera)
4.3 Ants(Formicidae)
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This section explains how the findings of this study will assist the following members of
society:
The parents, would be given an alternative natural insect repellent that is attainable
and convenient to make.
The children, would be given a natural insect repellent as an extra measure in
preventing being infected by insect-bornediseases.
The elders, would be given natural insect repellent as a prevention from acquiring
diseases caused by insects, considering that elders have weaker immune system and
are more prone to getting infected.
The travelers and campers, would be given extra protection from insect-cause
dinfections due to the fact campers and travelers are more exposed to various insects.
The future researchers, would avail of the findings of the present study as a
referencematerialand guide; and
The insect-repellent manufacturers, would arrive at safer and more effective insect-
repellents through the utilization of the findings of the present study.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of Cymbopogon citratus, Allium
sativum, Eucalyptusglobulus, and Oleaeuropaea as natural insect repellents. The
researchers will present a positive and negative control set-up to provide a more
accurate comparison. Multiple ratios of the variables will be evaluated to discover the
most effective concentration. However, because to the difficulty in locating test
subjects, not all varieties of insects will be tried and tested.
This study will only be tested on the following insects: Diptera, Culicidae,and
Formicidae. This proposed natural insect repellent will be administered to humans,
ranging from youngsters to the elderly; male or female, outer extremities. This study is
limited only to the use of Cymbopogon, AlliumSativa,Eucalyptus globulus, and Olea
europaea.
Further observation and experiment of the subjects on the producting this study will
be conducted at theUniversity of Cebu-Banilad Campus ( Senior High School Building)
only.
REFERENCES:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts185.pdf
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lemongrass/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24964572/
https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_eucalyptus/drugs-condition.htm
