Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on repellent activity of seed oils alone and in combination

on mosquito, Aedes aegypti

Y. Mukesh, P. Savitri, R. Kaushik* and N.P. Singh

Department of Zoology, Center for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail : rkaushik.jaipur@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

22 March 2013

Revised received:

20 October 2013

Re-revised received:

23 April 2014

Accepted:

30 April 2014

Abstract

The study was undertaken to investigate the relative repellency of Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica seed oils on vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti under laboratory conditions. The repellents were formulated into 3 groups: seed oils, their mixture and combination of seed oils with three carrier oils viz. olive , mustard and coconut oil. Different formulations of each oil were tested at the concentrations of 1% and 5% on human baits. Efficiency was assessed, based on the total protection time; biting rate and percent protection provided by each formulation. Results showed that 5% formulation of the Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica seed oils, mixed in 1:1 ratio exhibited highest percentage repellency of 85 % , protection time of 300 min and bite rate of 6%. 5 % concentration of A.indica and P. pinnata seed oil in mustard oil base offered 86.36% and 85% protection respectively with total protection time of 230 and 240 min respectively. The study confirms that Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata have mosquito-repellent potential. When mixed in different ratios or with some carrier oil their efficacy increases 2?fold in some cases. These formulations are very promising for topical use (>5 hrs complete protection) and are comparable to the protection provided by advanced Odomos mosquito repellent cream available commercially and thus are recommended for field trial . 

Key words

Aedes aegypti, Neem, Pongamia, Repellency, Synergism 

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