Natural, Alternative Insect Repellent As Effective As DEET, Study Shows
- Date:
- February 9, 2009
- Source:
- Entomological Society of America
- Summary:
- A cheap, natural compound has been found to deter biting of mosquitoes and to repel ticks as effectively as DEET.
- Share:
Isolongifolenone, a natural compound found in the Tauroniro tree (Humiria balsamifera) of South America, has been found to effectively deter biting of mosquitoes and to repel ticks, both of which are known spreaders of diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease.
Derivatives of isolongifolenone have been widely and safely used as fragrances in cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants, and paper products, and new processing methods may make it as cheap to produce as DEET.
The authors found that isolongifolenone deters the biting of the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles stephensi Liston more effectively than the widely used synthetic chemical repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide (DEET) in laboratory bioassays. Furthermore, it repelled blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks as effectively as DEET.
Since “isolongifolenone is easily synthesized from inexpensive turpentine oil feedstock,” the authors write, “we are therefore confident that the compound has significant potential as an inexpensive and safe repellent for protection of large human populations against blood-feeding arthropods.”
In addition, a new, patented method developed by the authors to efficiently produce isolongifolenone would make it even more cost effective.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Entomological Society of America. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Zhang et al. Isolongifolenone: A Novel Sesquiterpene Repellent of Ticks and Mosquitoes. Journal of Medical Entomology, 2009; 46 (1): 100 DOI: 10.1603/033.046.0113
Cite This Page: