Utilization of Mosquito paper out of Pepper Mint (M.

balsamea Willd), Garlic (Allium

sativum) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)

An Investigatory Project

By

Joi Janelle L. Pajila

Mrs. Joanne Familiara

(Research Teacher)

Bansud National High School

Regional Science High School for MIMAROPA
Pag-asa Bansud Oriental Mindoro

IV. Research Plan

Rationale of the study
The study is about the use of pepper mint, garlic and lemongrass as a component of
mosquito paper. This aims to lessen the number of patients having dengue and to produce
product that is cheap. The study will be compared to the commercial mosquito paper in terms of
odor, number of mosquito killed and time it took before the mosquito killed.
The notion that vampires are afraid of garlic may have come from the fact that
mosquitoes are repelled by garlic. Its not clear why they cant stand it but it is said that the
plants compounds are harmful to mosquitoes, so they have evolved to avoid them. Garlic
actually repels mosquitoes, but not from garlic breath. If you have a high allicin (garlic's active
anti-microbial ingredient) blood count, mosquitoes will refuse to engage with your blood.
Peppermint has a high menthol content. The oil also contains menthone and menthyl esters,
particularly menthyl acetate. Dried peppermint typically has 0.3-0.4% of volatile oil containing
menthol (7-48%), menthone (20-46%), menthyl acetate (3-10%), menthofuran (1-17%) and 1,8cineol (3-6%). Peppermint oil also contains small amounts of many additional compounds
including limonene, pulegone, caryophyllene and pinene. Lemongrass is widely used as a
culinary herb in Asian cuisine and also as medicinal herb in India. It has a subtle citrus flavor and
can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. It is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is
also suitable for use with poultry, fish, beef, and seafood. Lemongrass is known for its ability to
repel insects and bugs. It is also used in India as a snake repellant. Lemongrass is planted around
the house or onto window sills.

Statement of the Objectives

The main purpose of this study is to produce a mosquito paper out of pepper mint, garlic
and lemon grass.
Specifically, this aims to achieve the following objectives:
1. To determine the active components of peppermint, garlic and lemongrass that can be
used in producing a mosquito paper?
2. To determine which one is the best and most acceptable among the three set ups in terms
of:
2.1 Odor
2.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
2.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed
3. To determine the significant difference among the three set-ups in terms of:
3.1 Odor
3.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
3.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed

Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this study is to produce a mosquito paper out of pepper mint, garlic
and lemon grass.
Specifically, this aims to answer the following question:
1. What are the active components of peppermint, garlic and lemongrass that can be used in
producing a mosquito paper?
2. Which one is the best and most acceptable among the three set ups in terms of:
2.1 Odor
2.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
2.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed?
3. Is there significant difference among the three set-ups in terms of:
3.1 Odor
3.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
3.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed?

Hypothesis
1. There are no active components present in Peppermint, Garlic and Lemongrass that can be
used in producing a mosquito repelling paper.
2. Among the three set-ups, neither is the best nor acceptable in terms of:

2.1 Odor
2.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
2.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed
3. There is no significant difference among the three set-ups in terms of:
3.1 Odor
3.2 No. of mosquitoes killed
3.3 Time it took before the mosquitoes were killed

Materials and Equipment

The Materials and Equipment that will be used in this study are 750g of Lemongrass,
500g of Garlic, 550g of Peppermint, Frame, Screen, Liquid starch, basin, Cheesecloth, Bowl,
Blender, Vat, Alkaline Solution, Formation aid (thickener), Mold, deckle, Sponge, Scissors, latex
gloves and non-corrosive pot.

General Procedure
First the researcher must gather all the needed materials and equipment. Place the
Lemongrass, Garlic and Peppermint in three different containers. Cut them in a length of .5
inches and remove unwanted residue. Boil each plant in a non-corrosive pot in about 1-2 hours
with an alkaline solution to purify the fibers. Boil until the fibers can be easily separated along

the grain. Rinse to remove all residue. Strain the fibers in a cheesecloth bag and rinse until the
water runs clear. Keep squeezing the bag and rinsing. Separate the fibers into individual
filaments using a blender. Add of water and the appropriate measurement of the fibers
according to the set-ups. While blending the fibers and water add about 10g of formation aid.
Keep the water moving to avoid clumping. Feel a vat 1/3 to of water and add the pulp of the
fiber. After that, stir it with your hand to distribute the fibers evenly. Using a mold and deckle
with the plain deckle frame positioned on top of the screened mold and held tightly together, use
a side to side and back and forth motion to dip the assembly into the water as you scoop up water
and fiber and lift it out still holding the mold and deckle together. Let the water drain away. Let
the fiber in your mold for a while. Press the fiber using sponge to remove excess water. Fill your
mold with some weight and live it there until it dries up. Remove the finished product in the
mold.

Risk and Safety

Risk
The study uses some chemicals. The study should be away from children to avoid
allergies.
Safety
The researcher must ask or seek for an elderly help o to a person who can help in doing
the product.

Flowchart

Gather all the materials.

Add of water and the

appropriate measurement of
the fibers according to the
set-ups.

While blending the fibers and

water add about 10g of
formation aid. Keep the
water moving to avoid
clumping.

Cut the peppermint, garlic

and lemongrass into a length
of .5 and remove unwanted
residue

Strain the fibers in a cheesecloth

bag and rinse until the water
runs clear. Keep squeezing the
bag and rinsing.

Feel a vat 1/3 to of water

and add the pulp of the fiber.

Fill your mold with some

weight and live it there until
it dries up. Remove the
finished product in the mold.

Boil them in a pot for about

1-2 hours.

Boil until the fibers can be

easily separated along the
grain.

Using a mold and deckle with the

plain deckle frame positioned on
top of the screened mold and
held tightly together, use a side to
side and back and forth motion to
dip the assembly into the water
as you scoop up water and fiber
and lift it out still holding the
mold and deckle together.

Data Analysis
The 30 respondents were chosen by the researcher using convenience sampling in order
to know the respondents if they have the problem about harmful mosquitoes. These respondents
are from Del Pilar St. Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. They were asked to rate the formulation
in terms of odor, number of mosquitoes killed and Time the mosquitoes were killed.
Before the product is tested, the researchers discussed about the rules in rating the
product to prevent misunderstandings. This test is using a 4-point liker scale.

Bibliography
Liz-ana. (2010). Make your own paper from plants. Retrieved March 16, 2015 from :
http://liz-annaslakesidestudio.blogspot.com/2010/06/papermaking-tutorial.html
Barzakov, S. (2013). 11 Mosquito Repelling House Plant. Retrieved March 16, 2015 from:
http://m0rd0r.hubpages.com/hub/11-mosquito-repelling-house-plants
Cruz, K. (2014). 5 wonder plants that repel Mosquito. Retrieved March 16, 2015 from:
http://www.clarkisit.com/5-wonder-plants-repel-mosquitoes/