Insect repellant from Lemon Grass

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, various types of substances have been used to repel

mosquitos. These include such things as smoke, plant extracts, oils, tars, and

muds. As insect repellent technology became more sophisticated, individual

compounds were discovered and isolated. This allowed the formulation of new,

more efficient forms of mosquito repellents.

Lemongrass is a tropical perennial plant which yields aromatic oil. The

name lemongrass is derived from the typical lemon-like odour of the essential oil

present in the shoot. The herb originated in Asia and Australia. Lemongrass was

one of the herbs to travel along the spice route from Asia to Europe. Lemongrass

oil of commerce is popularly known as Cochin oil in the world trade, since 90% of

it is shipped from Cochin port. The state of Kerala in India had the monopoly in the

production is around 1000 t from an area of 16000 ha. In India, it is cultivated in an

area of 4000 ha and the annual production is around 250 t. the crop is extensively

cultivated in the poor, marginal and waste lands and also along the bunds as live

mulch. The well ramified root system of the plant helps in soil and water

conservation.

A common theory states that the success of Lemongrass Essential Oil in

the global market is due to the display of Citronella Essential Oil, a close relative
of the Lemongrass plant, at the World’s Fair of 1951. According to reports, it is

possible that the Philippines might have exported Lemongrass Oil as early as the

17th century but that distribution was restricted and kept secret. In order to thrive

in the United States, the Lemongrass plant was initially introduced to regions with

warm climates. Lemongrass is among the most popular essential oils used today

for its effectiveness, health benefits, and a wide variety of applications.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this investigatory project aims to find out if lemon grass can be

used in making insect repellant. Specifically, it aims to answer the following

questions.

1. What are the characteristics of lemon grass suitable in making insect

repellant?

2. What processes are involved in making the insect repellant from lemon

grass?

3. What is needed measurement of lemon grass to be an effective insect

repellant?

4. What promotional material may be prepared?

Hypothesis

If lemon grass will be extracted its natural components, and observe it by

applying the lemon grass over a subject that can easily approach by insects, then

if it repel the insect away, it is to be an effective natural insect repellant.

Significance of the Study

The study will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of lemon grass

as natural insect repellant. Extraction of lemon grass is through Steam Distillation

Technique. Distillation is the process in where the essential oil is converted into

vapor, then back to a liquid—which is the most popular method in producing

essential oils. Another way is to use expression, which is a cold pressed version

of extraction. Another one is solvent extraction, which is where solvents are used

to obtain the essential oils. Children will benefit the most because knowledge of

insect repellant will enable them to prevent possible disease. Through this study,

the knowledge of parents regarding lemon grass as insect repellant would be

increased and prevention could be done to avoid more serious damage to their

children’s health.

Scope and Limitation

The research is focused on creating an alternative of an insect repellent

made out of lemongrass stalks. Materials used for the creation of the oil are

available at the researchers’ houses. While only the lemongrass stalks are
bought from the market. This study is limited only to the use of a bundle of

lemongrass stalks, and olive oil. This product may face limitations of killing larger

insects. The aftereffects of spraying our products to cockroaches and spider may

just make them fainted for a while but there's no assurance of instantly killing them.

The ingredients used are limited, it is not as strong as with the insecticides from

the markets. It does not contain any harmful chemicals compared to others which

can eliminate insects but are toxic. We can say that the other products can kill

many insects but in our experiment, we tried to have an insecticide that is less in

chemicals because one our main objectives is to have an insecticide which is safer

to humans and environment.

Definition of Terms

Grass. Herbage for grazing animals. Any of large family of plants (as wheat,

bamboo, or sugar cane). With joined stems and narrow leaves.

Lemon. An acid fruit that is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong

berry produced by a small thorny citrus tree (Citrus limon) and that has a rind from

which an aromatic oil is extracted a tree that bears lemons.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). Is a tall, perennial grass in a class of

about 45 species of grasses native to the tropical and sub-tropical climates of Asia,

Australia and Africa. A yellow to reddish brown essential oil that has an odor of

lemon or verbena.
 Distillation. Is the process in where the essential oil is converted into vapor,

then back to a liquid—which is the most popular method in producing essential

oils.

Repel. To act with a force that drives or keeps away something. To cause

distaste or aversion. To fight against.

Repellent. To repel a particular thing; impervious to a particular substance,

causing disgust or distaste. A substance that deters insects or pests from

approaching or settling.

Rubbing alcohol. A cooling and soothing liquid for external application that

contains approximately 70 percent denatured ethanol or isopropanol. Typically

perfumed, used as an antiseptic or in massage. A liquid for cleaning medical

equipment or a person’s skin so that it is free from bacteria.

Distilled water. Is water that has been boiled into vapor and condensed back

into liquid in a separate container. Impurities in the original water that do not boil

below or at the boiling point of water remain in the original container. Thus, distilled

water is one type of purified water.

Liquid Hand soap. Is formulated to wash and clean hands. ... For making

natural liquid hand soap as opaque or clear not changing. used natural and herbal

oil, potassium hydroxide, water, glycerine, dye and fragrance. These ingredients

are used to make saponification for hand liquid soap as natural.

 Spray bottle. Is a bottle that can squirt, spray or mist fluids. A common use

for spray bottles is dispensing cool cleaners, cosmetics, and chemical specialties.

Another wide use of spray bottles is mixing down concentrates such as pine oil

with water.

Essential oil. A natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the

characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.

Eucalyptus oil. A fast growing evergreen Australian tree that has been

widely introduced elsewhere. It is valued for its timber, oil, gum, resin, and an

ornamental free.

Rosemary oil. An evergreen herb of the mint family, native to the

Mediterranean region, with clusters of small, light-blue flowers and leaves that yield

a fragrant essential oil, used in perfumes, in cooking, etc.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citrates) is used in Cuban folk medicine

to lower high blood pressure and as anti-inflammatory. It is also used in Brazilian

folk mediine in a tea called “abufado” as a sedative for gestational problems and

for fever. Lemongrass oil is yellow/brown oil with a tinge of red. It has a fresh,

strong, lemon-like and pungent with herbal teas, skin care products, fragrances,

and aromatheraphy. But, let’s just focus on how lemongrass is suitable in making

insect repellent.

Lemongrass can repel various insects such as ants and mosquitoes.

Lemongrass is a natural repellant because it has a high geraniol and citral content.

Its scent makes the mosquitoes simply dislike the smell of lemongrass. You can

rub its diluted form on your skin because undiluted essential oil is hazardous to

health and safety. Spray its more concentrated form around your home. The

sprays that contains harmful chemicals might eliminate the pesky culprits, but they

are harmful to you and the environment. This insecticide that is more convenient

to ordinary people, for us to be more resourceful in thinking and making different

ways to kill or prevent our health from different insects that we can find in our

houses.

The needed measurement of lemon grass to be an effective insect

repellant is only one pack of lemongrass and drops of essential oils if you’re only
making a medium sized spray bottle insect repellant. The process that we should

use while making insect repellant is through boiling, and heating. Because it can

release the extract of the lemongrass plant so that the product (which is the insect

repellant) that we are making will be effective. Another process that is known in

extracting the juice of lemongrass is Distillation.

There’s a lot different procedures and materials that are being used

in making lemongrass as insect repellent. If you have made your own procedures

in making your own insect repellent once the effectiveness of the product is proven,

you can use brochures, paid advertisement, posting it on any social media apps;

or any ideas for the promotion of your insect repellant that will be popular among

your country. You can also give them a free sample on your product on the first

day of selling of the product.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Raw Materials

 Lemongrass Plant

1-2 units

 Lemongrass Oil

1 unit

 Water

1 unit

 Liquid Handsoap

1 unit
  Eucalyptus Oil

1 unit

 Rubbing Alcohol

1 unit

Equipment and Utensils

(Laboratory equipment)

 Bunsen burner

 Tripod

 Stirring rod

 Beaker (2)

 Clay triangle

 Digital balance

(Non-laboratory equipment)

 Scissors

 Spray bottle (2)

General Procedures

1. Purchase pure lemongrass oil to use as a pure, natural and safe insect

repellant.

2. Chop the lemongrass using scissors.

3. Put the chopped lemongrass in a boiling water to release its essence for 10

minutes.

4. Pour ½ cup of lemongrass oil and ¼ cup of eucalyptus oil in a container. ¼

cup of liquid hand soap, and 1/8 cup of alcohol in a separate container.
5. Dilute the lemongrass oil and eucalyptus oil in rubbing alcohol.

6. Strain the boiled lemongrass, the extract is only needed.

7. You may now pour the mixtures in a separate spray bottles for easy

application.
a) Mixture with liquid handsoap

b) Mixture without liquid handsoap

Data Gathering of the Study

As the result, both of the product was effective. In only few minutes,

the ants and spiders were killed. The repellant that contains liquid hand soap was

more effective than the repellant that does not contain hand soap.
 Group No.: 1

Members:

Serrano, Alexandra- Leader

Arayan, Stephanie

Berro, Carl

Dadua, Sofia

De Castro, Aneeza

Fran, Daffyl

Guadez, Erika

Guico, Vincent

Lopez, Kyle

Macatangay, Sabrina

Malabanan, Arden

Manalo, Mikaela

Perez, Ma. Ezza

Ramos, Chinee