INVESTIGATING THE EFFICACY OF Ocimumgratissimum AS A NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT
Abstract
The study investigated the efficacy of Ocimumgratissimum as a natural mosquito repellent. The study was conducted in Enugu, Nigeria between April-May 2024. Bred Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were exposed to candles infused with different concentrations of Ocimumgratissimumextracts. The findings from this study demonstrated a positive correlation between increased extract concentration and mosquito repellence, with a knockdown rate of 11.6% (0.5g extract), 17.1% (1.0g extract), 26.3% (1.5g extract) and 42.3% (2.0g) as the highest test concentration. The findings show strong potentials of Ocimumgratissimumas a mosquito repellent with environmental benefits, offering both a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic mosquito repellents. Recommendations would be to conduct a long-term field trials to validate laboratory findings, explore commercial production of Ocimumgratissimum based repellents and advocate for the integration of natural repellents in public health strategies.
