Synergistic repellent activity of plant essential oils against Aedes aegypti on rabbit Skin
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Date
2014Author
Mwangi, Richard W
Koech, Peter K
Language
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are the major causes of mortality particularly in tropics. Due to drug and
insecticide resistance, personal protection by use of skin repellents has become a common approach of
control. The purpose of the study is to determine if synergy exists between Ocimum basilicum,
Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus citriodora oils. Kinga Mosquito repelling Wax® and Vaseline Pure
Petroleum Jelly® were included as positive and negative test control respectively. The results showed
that Chrysanthemum cinerariefolium extract had no paralytic effect at 0.002% and 0.005% with mean
repellency of 81.58 and 85.94 respectively. Similar observation was shown by 10% Azadirachta indica
oil and Kinga with a mean repellency 85.79 and 80.53 respectively. Azadirachta indica oil was then
reinforced by addition of Sweet basil oil and Lemon eucalyptus oil. A combination that provides
complete protection and displayed mosquito paralysis was obtained. The developed formulation can
replace Kinga® and alternative to Chrysanthemum cinerariefolium extract.
Keywords: Plant essential oils, Synergy, PBO, Percent repellent activity, Aedes aegypti.