CHAPTER I

Introduction
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Dengue is now one of the most important diseases. While
it doesnt kill that many people. It has tremendous economic
and

social

impact.

How

can

we

reduce

this

disease

and

patiently help our fellow citizen be safe and aware? We

thought that why not we choose our product focusing on
repelling mosquitoes so that in a little way, we can truly
help them avoid sickness but also to change the economic and
social impact physically and emotionally. We have set our
goal and that is we will make a mosquito repellent which is
truly helpful and effective to our society.
The City Health office has so far recorded 300 cases of
dengue. The victims ages range from one year old to 30
years old, according to city sanitation officer Sisa Loyola.
Out of the 47 barangays of the city, Tiza, Banica, Cagay and
Mongpong had the most number of cases. The dengue cases in
the city, however, are not enough to declare a dengue

outbreak, unlike in 2010 when the number of cases has

reached

alarming

level.

City

health

Officer

Dr.

Amelita

Robles said their office has been trying its best to prevent
dengue cases from rising. Mayor Celino, she said, has been
very supportive of their campaign against dengue. Mosquito
Repellent is a chemical substance, such as spray or lotion
applied to the body to prevent mosquitoes biting. Mosquitoes
are a family of small, midge-like flies; the useful to
humanity,

the

females

of

most

species

are

ectoparasites

whose tube-like mouthparts pierce the hosts skin to suck

the

blood.

The

word

mosquito

is

from

the

Spanish

or

fever,

is

Portugese for little fly

Dengue

fever also

known

a mosquito-borne tropical
virus.
pains,

Symptoms
and

as breakbone

disease

caused

by

the dengue

include fever, headache, muscle and joint

characteristic skin

rashthat

is similar

to

measles. In a small proportion of cases the disease develops

into

the

resulting
blood

life-threatening dengue
in bleeding, low

plasma

leakage,

where dangerously

low

levels

or
blood

of

hemorrhagic
blood

into dengue

fever,

platelets and

shock

pressure occurs.

syndrome,
The

dengue

mosquito, or Aedes aegypti, is the main type of mosquito

that transmits dengue fever and is found in many tropical

countries around the world. The dengue mosquito only lives

and

breeds

in

urban

environments,

particularly

around

peoples homes and backyards. The dengue mosquito does not

live

or

breed

in

swamps,

creeks,

rivers,

bush

land

or

mangroves. While other types of mosquitoes do, the dengue

mosquito

only

lives

where

there

are

people.

(www.genpage.com)
Dengue mosquitoes thrive in man-made areas because they
prefer to lay their eggs in containers found in domestic
environments and the female dengue mosquito needs to feed on
humans to produce eggs. They only need a small amount of
pooled water to lay their eggs, which they glue to the
side

of

containers.

The

eggs

hatch

into

wrigglers

or

larvae, which then take about 7-10 days to become adult

mosquitoes. Dengue mosquitoes dont like to fly far. They
usually only fly between 50-200 metres, depending on the
availability of food (human blood) and containers to lay
their eggs in.

Statement of the Problem

This

study

seeks

the

possibility

of

using

Peppermint,

Garlic, Ginger and Lemon with citronella Oil as an effective

and lost lasting mosquito repellent:

It also aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the average effective repellent time of the
produced natural commercial repellent?
2.
Is there a significant difference
effective

repellent

time

of

the

between

produced

the

natural

repellent as compared to the commercial repellent?

Hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the effective
repellent time of the natural repellent compared to the
commercial repellent

Objectives
Generally, this study aims to find out that our natural
mosquito repellent is effective and can last longer compared
to the brand x.
Specifically this aims to:
1. To find out if the ingredients acceptable in making
mosquito repellent
2. To find out if there is a part that our product is way
more advantage then the commercialized product
3. To find out if our product is more safe and non-harmful
than the commercialized chemical product

4. To get the time using stop watch to observe the time

and

duration

of

the

effectiveness

of

Peppermint,

Garlic, Ginger and Lemon with Citronella Oil

Significance of the study

The purpose of every experiment conducted is to
help people especially in parents to repel mosquitoes and
avoid sickness. This problem could alter a huge population
of parents that are tired of preventing sickness coming from
mosquitoes that could make their life and family in danger.
This query is of current interest for many individuals,
because almost every family considered mosquitoes as one of
the reasons why their life become uneasy for them. This
could eliminate mosquitoes and prevent any future diseases
that can affect peoples lives. Every family will surely
benefit from this project not only because it is cheaper
than commercial one but also it has medical values and the
health risks are lesser. Big production of this product will
enable more Filipinos to lessen their expenses with regard
to

chemical

mosquito

repellent

products.

Compared

to

commercialized product, these products dont affect ones

health. The materials needed for this project can be easily
found within the kitchen or even in surroundings that every
Mother can do. Through this study, the knowledge of parents
5

regarding peppermint, garlic, ginger, lemon, lavender with

citronella oil as naturally based mosquito repellent would
be increased and prevention could be done to avoid more
serious damage to their childrens health.

Scope and Limitations

This project focused only developing of the extracts of
Peppermint,

Garlic,

Ginger

and

Lemon

for

repelling

mosquitoes. This project also study some extracts/ oil to

enhance the effectiveness of mosquito repellent. Citronella
extract product to prove the ability of this setup as an
effective mosquito repellent However, this study is limited
only to apply whenever it is needed to repel mosquitoes. It
is limited to every family that has a capacity to buy the
Ingredient needed and the complete tools and materials.

Definition of Terms
Citronella Oil- Citronella oil is one of the essential
oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species
of Cymbopogon (lemongrass). The oil is used extensively as a
source

of perfumery chemicals

ascitronellal, citronellol and geraniol.

such
These

chemicals

find extensive use in soap, candles and incense, perfumery,

cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.
6

Citronella oil is also a plant-based insect repellent, and

has been registered for this use in the United States since
1948.

The United

States

Environmental

Protection

Agency considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a

non-toxic mode of action. However, since citronella insect
repellent effects were not proven within the EU, the use of
citronella

as

an

insecticide

is

prohibited

under

the

oil

has

Biocidal Product Directive 2006.

Research

also

shows

that

strong antifungal properties, is

citronella
effective

in

calming

barking dogs, and has even been used as a successful sprayon deterrent against pets destroying household items

Ginger-

Ginger or ginger

root is

the rhizome of

the

plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine,

or spice. Its family name (Zingiberaceae) and common name
nearly derive from the Greek, "zingiberis". Other notable
members

of

this

are turmeric, cardamom and galangal.

plant

family

The

distantly

related dicots in the Asarum genus have the common name wild
ginger because of their similar taste.
Ginger is indigenous to southern China, spreading eventually
to the Spice Islands, other parts of Asia and subsequently
7

to

West

Africa and

the Caribbean. Ginger

was

exported

to Europe via India in the first century AD as a result of

the lucrativespice trade. India remains the largest producer
of ginger.

Lavender-

Lavender

oil is

an essential

oil obtained

by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species

of lavender. Two forms are distinguished, lavender flower
oil, colorless oil, insoluble in water, having a density of
0.885 g/mL; and lavender spike oil, a distillate from the
herb Lavandula
Lavender

latifolia,

flower

oil

is

having
a

density

designation

of

0.905 g/mL.
the National

Formulary and the British Pharmacopoeia. Like all essential

oils, it is not a pure compound; it is a complex mixture of
naturally

occurring phytochemicals,

including linalool and linalyl acetate. Kashmir Lavender oil

is famous for being produced from lavender at the foothills
of the Himalayas. As of 2011, the biggest lavender oil
producer in the world is Bulgaria

Peppermintas M.

Peppermint (Mentha

balsamea Willd.)

is

a hybrid mint,

between watermint andspearmint. The

to Europe and

the Middle

East,

piperita,

plant,
is

now

also

known

cross

indigenous

widespread

in

cultivation in many regions of the world. It is found wild

occasionally with its parent species.

Garlic- Garlic is widely used around the world for its

pungent flavour as a seasoning or condiment. The garlic
plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant.
With the exception of the single clove types, garlic bulbs
are normally divided into numerous fleshy sections called
cloves.
cooked)

Garlic
or

characteristic

cloves
for

are

used

medicinal

pungent,

for

consumption

purposes.

They

spicy flavour that

(raw

or

have

mellows

and

sweetens considerably with cooking.

CHAPTER II
9

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Health Benefits of Lavender
According

to

(www.whfoods.com)

advocates
lavender

an antiseptic and pain

of alternative
oil

reliever

to

medicine

can

be

used

be

applied

as

to minor

burns and insect bites and stings.

It is also said to treat a variety of common ailments,
such

as sunburn and sunstroke. It

in massage

oil mixtures,

which

may

can
be

also

be

effective

used
in

the

relief of joint and muscle pain, or in chest rub mixtures

for the relief of asthmatic and bronchitic spasm. It is also
said to treat head lice when used in a hair rinse mixture,
or

on

a fine

comb to

eliminate nits.

One

study

suggests

application of lavender essential oil instead of povidoneiodine for episiotomy wound care.
In

vitro,

lavender

oil

is cytotoxic as

well

as photosensitizing. A study demonstrated that lavender oil

is cytotoxic to human skin cells in vitro (endothelial cells
andfibroblasts) at a concentration of 0.25%. Linalool, a
component of lavender oil, reflected the activity of the
whole

oil,

indicating

that

linalool

may

be

the

active

10

component
showed

of

that

lavender
aqueous

oil. The

extracts

with

control,

of

another

reduced mitotic

induced chromosome aberrations

comparison

result

and

mitotic

significantly.

study

index,

aberrations

Aqueous

but
in

extracts

induced breaks, stickiness, pole deviations and micronuclei.

Furthermore,

these

effects

were

related

to

extract

concentrations.
However,

according

to

2005

study(Wikipedia.org)

"although it was recently reported that lavender oil, and

its major constituent linalyl acetate, are toxic to human
skin cells in vitro, contact dermatitis to lavender oil
appears to occur at only a very low frequency. The relevance
of this in vitro toxicity to dermatological application of
Lavandula oils remains unclear."
Health Benefits of Citronella Oil
Components like methyl isoeugenol and a few others that
are found in this essential oil are responsible for this
property.

They

kill

bacteria

and

inhibit

any

further

bacterial growth in the body. This is particularly helpful

in treating infections in wounds, as well as in the colon,
urethra,

urinary

bladder,

stomach,

intestines,

urinary

tracts, prostate and kidneys.(Wikipedia.org\Citronella Oil)

11

Antidepressant: This oil fights depression and gives relief

from anxiety, sadness, and negative feelings. It induces a
fresh, happy feeling and hope.
Antiseptic: The antiseptic properties of this essential
oil fight infections in wounds, as well as the urinary
tracts, urethra, prostate and kidneys, while simultaneously
protecting them from being sepsis.
Antispasmodic: It

relieves

spasms

of

the

muscles,

respiratory system and nervous system. It also helps to cure

menstrual spasms and gives relief from symptoms such as
cramps and coughs.
Health Benefits of Garlic

You can increase the health benefits you receive from

garlic by letting it sit after you've chopped it or
crushed it. If you give your chopped/crushed garlic
time to sit before changing its temperature (through
cooking) or its pH (through the addition of acidic food
like lemon juice), it will give the alliinase enzymes
in garlic an opportunity to work on behalf of your
health. For example, in the absence of chopping or
crushing, research has shown that just 60 seconds of
immediate microwaving will cause garlic to lose some of
12

its cancer-protective properties. Immediate boiling of

whole, intact garlic will also lower these properties,
as

will

immediate

addition

of

very

low-acid

ingredient like lemon juice.(www.whfoods.com)

Health Benefits of Peppermint
Soothe Your Tummy with Peppermint (www.foodspice.com)
In the world of health research, randomized controlled
trials have repeatedly shown the ability of peppermint oil
to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including
indigestion, dyspepsia, and colonic muscle spasms. These
healing properties of peppermint are apparently related to
its smooth muscle relaxing ability. Once the smooth muscles
surrounding the intestine are relaxed, there is less chance
of spasm and the indigestion that can accompany it. The
menthol contained in peppermint may be a key reason for this
bowel-comforting effect.
A Potential Anti-Cancer Agent
Interest in peppermint has extended well beyond the
digestive

tract,

however. Perillyl

alcohol is

phytonutrient called a monoterpene, and it is plentiful in

peppermint oil. In animal studies, this phytonutrient has

13

been shown to stop the growth of pancreatic, mammary, and

liver tumors. It has also been shown to protect against
cancer

formation

in

the

colon,

skin,

and

lungs.

These

animal-based studies have yet to be matched by equally sound

human studies, however.
Health Benefits of Lemon
Lemon water flushes out toxins and is extremely beneficial
for the body.(www.onlinelibrary.com)
Warm lemon water serves as the perfect good morning drink,
as it aids the digestive system and makes the process of
eliminating the waste products from the body easier. It
prevents

the

problem

of

constipation

and

diarrhea,

by

ensuring smooth bowel functions. A glass of lemon juice

contains less than 25 calories. It is a rich source of
nutrients
fiber.

like

It

also

calcium,
has

potassium,

medicinal

vitamin

values

and

and

pectin

antibacterial

properties.
Lemon, a fruit popular for its therapeutic properties, helps
maintain your immune system and thus, protects you from the
clutches of most types of infections. It also plays the role
of a blood purifier. Lemon is a fabulous antiseptic and
lime-water juice also works wonders for people having heart
14

problems, owing to its high potassium content. So, make it a

part of your daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon
water in the morning and enjoy its health benefits.
This review aims to examine the effectiveness of citronella
preparation

used

as

(onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

mosquito

Multiple

repellent

computerized

databases

such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and AMED,

were searched for controlled laboratory experiments that
compared the effectiveness of citronella products to control
in repelling Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes using the
cage or room methods. Outcomes measures were protection time
and percentage repellency. The weighted mean difference and
95%

confidence

interval

were

calculated

comparing

the

outcomes in the citronella and control groups. Meta-analysis

was performed using the DerSimonian and Laird method under a
random-effects model. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Results Eleven
studies met inclusion criteria. Based on a meta-analysis of
studies

using

the

cage

method,

protection

time

of

the

citronella oil for preventing Aedes mosquitoes was less than

that in the DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) group, with a
difference in protection time of 253 min (95% confi- dence
interval: 169336). The combination of citronella oil and
vanillin is likely to have a longer protection time compared

15

with citronella oil alone. In studies using the room method,

citronella oil and or the combination of citronella oil
and vanillin provided complete repellency at least 3 h. In
Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes, a combination of citronella
oil

and

protection

vanillin
time

product
against

demonstrated
DEET;

however,

comparable
it

remained

inconclusive due to a limited number of studies. Conclusions

Citronella products are less effective than DEET products in
terms

of

duration

of

protection.

Adding

vanillin

to

citronella oil products could prolong the protection time.

CHAPTER III

16

Methodology
This

chapter

shows

the

procedure

on

how

we

made

our

naturally based mosquito repellent. We also state the exact

amount and tools that will be used for making one. It is
very easy that you can make this mosquito repellent in your
own kitchen.
Gather all Ingredients
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. Citronella Oil

Tools or Equipments Used:

Squisher
Spoon, knife and other utensils

10spoons peppermint
5 spoons lemon

Strainer
Bowl
Mortar and Pestle

1 whole ginger
3 cloves of garlic

Container
Cooking pot

5 spoons lavender

Procedure:

17

Gather all your Ingredients in one place. First, slice the

lemon and use the squeezer to get its extract. Then, use the
mortar and pestle to crush the garlic and ginger. Wash the
peppermint then boil it with added water for about 13-15
minutes. After that, get the extract of the peppermint and
pour it in the bowl. Next, boil the garlic with water. Boil
again the peppermint together with the garlic and ginger.
After you boil with several minutes, pour the peppermint
into

the

bowl

with

all

the

Ingredients.

Add

tsp.

Of

Citronella Oil, 10 spoons of lavender and 5 spoons of lemon.

Put your final product in a container.
Experimentation:
1.1
1.2

Prepare 10 chicks and mosquitoes

Apply Chick A with our naturally

1.3
1.4

repellent and Chick B with the brand X

Do it for 5 trials in each product
Observe if any mosquitoes had bitten or touch the skin

1.5

of the chicks
Record the item

for

how

long

the

based

mosquito

naturally

based

mosquito repellent product and brand X can last and its

effectiveness to repel mosquitoes.
Statistical Tools Used
To

determine

the

average

time

of

the

repellents

effectiveness, the researchers used the mean. To determine

18

if there is a significant difference between the effective

time of the produced repellent as compared to the commercial
repellent,

the

researchers

used

the

t-test

for

two

independent samples at 0.05 significance level.

CHAPTER IV
Result and Discussion
Record of the time and Duration in our Naturally Based
Mosquito Repellent that can last its effectiveness

Table A
19

1st Trial

225mins

2nd Trial

252mins

3rd Trial

247mins

Table A shows the result of the time duration of the

natural based mosquito repellent result shows of a mean
score (in minutes) of 251.The standard deviation is 3.32.

Record of the time and Duration in Brand X that can last its
effectiveness

1st Trial

245mins

20

2nd Trial

250mins

3rd Trial

252mins

Table B

Table B shows the result of the time duration of the

Brand X result shows of a mean score (in minutes) of 249.The
standard deviation is 2.94.

Table C
Independent Samples Test
Levene's
Test for
Equality of
Variances

t-test for Equality of Means

21

Trea
tmen
ts

Equal
variances
assumed
Equal
variances
not
assumed

Sig.

6.582

.062

df

-.8
97

-.8
97

2.2
51

Sig.
Mean
Std.
(2- Differ Error
taile ence Differ
d)
ence

95%
Confiden
Interval
the
Differen
Lower Up
8.5505
16.
.421 7.6666
31.406
0
7
67

8.5505
25.
.455 7.6666
40.791
0
7
62

CHAPTER V

22

Summary, Result, Conclusion and

Recommendations
This

study

seeks

the

possibility

of

using

Peppermint,

Garlic, Ginger and Lemon with citronella Oil as an effective

and long lasting mosquito repellent:
It also aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is the average effective repellent time of the
2.

produced natural commercial repellent?

Is there a significant difference
effective

repellent

time

of

the

between

produced

the

natural

repellent as compared to the commercial repellent?

Main Objectives
1. To find out if the ingredients acceptable in making
mosquito repellent
2.To find out if there is a part that our product is way
more advantage then the commercialized product
3. To find out if our product is more safe and non-harmful
than the commercialized chemical product
To get the time using stop watch to observe the time
and

duration

of

the

effectiveness

of

Peppermint,

Garlic, Ginger and Lemon with Citronella Oil

Experimentation:

23

1.6
1.7

Prepare 10 chicks and mosquitoes

Apply Chick A with our naturally

1.8
1.9

repellent and Chick B with the brand X

Do it for 5 trials in each product
Observe if any mosquitoes had bitten or touch the skin

of the chicks
1.10 Record the item

for

how

long

the

based

mosquito

naturally

based

mosquito repellent product and brand X can last and its

effectiveness to repel mosquitoes.
Table A shows the result of the time duration of the natural
based mosquito repellent result shows of a mean score (in
minutes) of 251.The standard deviation is 3.32.
Table B shows the result of the time duration of the Brand X
result

shows

of

mean

score

(in

minutes)

of

249.The

standard deviation is 2.94.

However comparing the two results we can say that our
product

is

more

effective

than

the

Brand

X.

The

value

reveals that there is a significant difference in the level

of effectiveness of our product in comparison with the brand
X because the alpha value at 0.05 is 0.062 with degrees of
freedom = 4. The result implied that the hypothesis that
there

was

no

significance

difference

in

the

level

of

effectiveness of the two brands was rejected.

Conclusion

24

The
Ginger,

hypothesis
and

mosquitoes
effective
repellent.

in
and
We

was

Peppermint
our

right.
with

homes

alternative
can

and

Lavender,
Citronella

Oil

everywhere.

It

way

conclude

Lemon,

of

natural

that,

can
can

base

through

Garlic,
repel
be

an

mosquito

building

new

discoveries new products we all people can contribute in

living life the better and relaxing way someday. In the
finale, we could conclude that if we continue to do things
like using natural product that are not against our Mother
Earth, we could still save and nourish, preserve and live
with it over decades and centuries.

Recommendations:
As

the

offshoots

of

this

study,

the

following

recommendations were made:

1. We recommend to other researchers that you can add
more product that are more effective than ours
2. You can discover other Ingredients that you can make
as a mosquito repellent that ca last more longer
3. Find other new ways on how you will and apply your
product in an effective way.

25

Bibliography
Websters Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus
www.genpage.com
www.whfoods.com

http://www.ehow.com/facts6945855garlic.html
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/peppermint
.htm
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono1081http://www.stuartxchange.org/Guyabano.html
http://www.Philippineherbalmedicine.org
http://www.Philippineherbalmedicine.org

26

http://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?name=News&filearticle&sid=194
http://www.naturalhomecures.net
http://www.lemon.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella Oil

27