Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Inflorescence with Calamansi zest as Mosquito Coil

A Scientific Investigatory Project

Sebastian Victor Steffano A. Singco

Researcher

MR. CARMELO A. JAMITO JR.

Research Adviser

November 24, 2020

 SIngco 2

Review of Related Literature

Mosquito Coil

Since mosquitoes are one of our humanity's big concerns because it brings a

disease named dengue. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of a infected

female Aedes aegypti mosquito.1 It can be extremely stressful and frustrating to deal with

mosquitoes. When the weather gets warm, you want to be able to spend time outside but you

don't want to mess with a jumping, biting insect. You will be on the lookout for different

approaches to aid in your effort to combat this problem. You will be on the lookout for different

approaches to aid in your effort to combat this problem.2

Anyone who has dealt with the infestation of a mosquito has been searching for a

simple, easy way to deal with the problem. You might think that they sound appealing and low-

maintenance if you have considered mosquito coils, but what are they exactly and do they really

work? Dating back to the 19th century, mosquito coils work on the same principle as

aromatherapy. However, they release scents that repel mosquitoes instead of releasing pleasant

scents that make people relax. Many mosquito coils are made from materials that are offensive to

mosquitoes when burned, such as dried pyrethrum powder paste or citronella. It's common to use

coils to get rid of mosquitoes because they do not cost much, and they are portable.2

1
Mike Cristian Gragasin, “Mosquito coil using calamansi,” scribd.com,
https://www.scribd.com/document/362474938/Mosquito-coil-using-calamansi
2“
Mosquito coils- What are they and how do they work?,” mosquitonix.com, January 22, 2018,
https://mosquitonix.com/blogs/news/mosquito-coils-what-are-they-and-do-they-work
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Review of Related Literature

Breadfruit Male Inflorescence

In certain regions of the world, clusters of male flowers of the breadfruit plant known as

inflorescences, are prized: when these parts of the plant are dried and burned, smoke can prevent

flying insects, especially mosquitoes.1

In addition, they have shown that the breadfruit-based compounds are more effective than

the common insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, otherwise known as DEET, in deterring

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Researchers conducted by A. A hydrodistillate of breadfruit male

inflorescences was studied by Maxwell P. Jones from the University of British Columbia,

Kelowna, and found that certain fractions performed well in preventing the biting of mosquitoes.

They defined capric acid, undecanoic acid, and lauric acid as the active mosquito-deterring

compounds from these fractions. Each of these fatty acids, when applied at equimolar levels,

proved to be more effective against mosquitoes than DEET. The researchers think that the

compounds could provide an alternative to repellents based on DEET.1

Review of Related Literature

1
1
Bethany Halford, “Breadfruit Battles Mosquitoes,” cen.acs.org, April 16, 2012,
https://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i16/Breadfruit-Battles-Mosquitoes.html#:~:text=Clusters
%20of%20male%20flowers%20of,off%20flying%20insects%2C%20especially
%20mosquitoes.
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Calamansi zest

Citrus is a genus belonging to the family Rutaceae of flowering trees and shrubs. Fruits

include peach, lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangelo, pomelo, and so on in this genus.The

effectiveness of citrus essential oils as mosquito repellents has been confirmed by several forms

of study. This study also shows that both adult mosquitoes and larvae are working toward citrus

essential oils.This is a common and successful way for mosquitoes to be managed. You will

accept that this is one of the best ways to combat mosquitoes out there if you combine

effectiveness with the fact that this is an organic solution that is not harmful to plants, livestock,

or the ecosystem. D-Limonene and other organic chemicals that have the potential to kill

mosquito larvae are found in citrus peels. Moreover, study reveals that adult mosquitoes are

repelled by certain citrus scents.1

Bibliography

1
1
Kristiana Kripena, “Citrus Fruit: A New, Natural Alternative to Fight Mosquitoes,”
insectcop.net, May 20, 2020, https://insectcop.net/citrus-fruit-might-provide-us-with-an-
alternative-way-to-fight-mosquitoes/
 Singco 5

Gragasin, Mike Cristian. “Mosquito coil using calamansi.” scribd.com.

https://www.scribd.com/document/362474938/Mosquito-coil-using-calamansi.

“
Mosquito coils- What are they and how do they work?.” mosquitonix.com. January 22, 2018.

https://mosquitonix.com/blogs/news/mosquito-coils-what-are-they-and-do-they-work.

Halford, Bethany. “Breadfruit Battles Mosquitoes.” cen.acs.org. April 16, 2012.

https://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i16/Breadfruit-Battles-Mosquitoes.html#:~:text=Clusters

%20of%20male%20flowers%20of,off%20flying%20insects%2C%20especially

%20mosquitoes.

Kripena, Kristiana. “Citrus Fruit: A New, Natural Alternative to Fight Mosquitoes.”

insectcop.net. May 20, 2020. https://insectcop.net/citrus-fruit-might-provide-us-with-an-

alternative-way-to-fight-mosquitoes/.