Effectiveness of Ginger Zingiber officinale Bulb Oil as a Natural Mosquito Aedes

aegypti Repellant

Stella Yvone Bernabe

John Dave Española

Jonamae Española

Arienne Mendoza

Christine Jicel Paredes

Valerie Rosero

A RESEARCH PLAN

Secondary Level

Practical Research II

Barbaza National High School

December 2023

Mrs. Lorodelle Lomugda Mahusay

 RESEARCH PLAN

A. Rationale

Mosquitoes Aedes aegypti have brought great trouble to human as they spread

diseases like wildfire. According to Keeffle (2016), an assistant professor of entomology at

the Centre for Disease Vector Research at the University of California Riverside, Dr. Omar

Akhari stated “Mosquitoes are perhaps the most dangerous animals in the world. They re the

primary vectors for major human diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and dengue fever,

which together infect hundreds of millions of humans worldwide and kill millions each year.”

And it is also supported by the World Health Organization that more than 50 percent of the

world’s population is presently at risk from mosquito – borne diseases. Mosquito bites can

cause skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva, which cause the red

bump and itching. But a more serious consequence at some mosquito bites may be the

transmission of serious diseases and viruses such as malaria, dengue virus, Zika virus, and

West Nile virus, which can lead to disabling and potentially deadly effects such as

encephalitis, meningitis, and microcephaly

The use of commercialized products has been very essential and effective when used

as mosquito repellant. However, adverse effects of commercialized products have cost many

health disturbances. According to Dr. Kapoor, “Most mosquito repellents contain DEET

which is safe to use in most cases. However, regular and frequent use of the chemicals can

have an unpleasant effect on the skin and body.” They can cause skin irritations, allergies,

inflammation, rashes, and dizziness, and can make it difficult to concentrate in regular

activities. While uncommon, products with DEET can cause short-term eye or skin irritation.

People who have inhaled DEET (N-diethyl meta-toluamide) repellents have reported

coughing and respiratory irritation.

 Ginger Zingiber officinale is a medicine spice crop with high edible and economic

value. It is widely distributed in central southeast, and Southwest China. Ginger has strong

bacteriostatic and insecticidal activity; for instance, ginger extract clearly inhibited

Drosophila melanogaster mating, inhibited the oviposition of whitefly, and repelled the adults

of whitefly, and has also demonstrated significant toxicity toward Diaphania hyanilata larvae,

affecting the hatching rate of the pupae. Consumption of ginger also has a beneficial effect on

heart disease, cancer, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and bacterial infections.

Ginger is an herbal, easily available, low-price medication which is associated with low risk

can be substituted for a chemical, scarce, and expensive drug.

Based on the above information the researchers decided to study on the Effectiveness

of Ginger Zingiber officinale bulb oil as a Natural Mosquito Aedes aegypti Repellant.

B. Research Objectives, Hypotheses

B.1. Objectives

This study aims to find out the effectiveness of ginger Zingiber officinale bulb

oil as a natural oil lamp against Mosquito Aedes aegypti. Specifically, this study seeks to

answer the following question:

1. Is there a possibility that the Ginger Zingiber officinale bulb oil as a natural

oil lamp against mosquito Ginger Zingiber officinale in terms of:

1.1 Flammability

1.2 Repellency; and

1.3 Burning Time

 2. Does Ginger Zingiber officinale bulb oil has significant difference on its

repelling effect against Mosquito Aedes aegypti when compared to commercially prepared

repellant in terms of flammability, repellency and burning time?

B.2. Hypotheses

Based on the aforementioned objectives, the following hypothesis will be put

forward:

1. There is a possibility that the Ginger Zingiber officinale is effective of

repelling in terms of:

1.1 Flammability

1.2 Repellency; and

1.3 Burning Time

2. There is a significant difference on its repelling effect against Mosquito

Aedes aegypti when compared to commercial prepared repellant in terms of flammability,

repellency and burning time.

C. Description

C.1. Procedures

C.1.a. Materials

1. Preparation of Research Equipment

Equipment and Apparatuses such as twelve by twelve inches (12×12) of mosquito net,

one (1) lighter, twelve (12) pieces of twelve by eight centimeter (8cm) of candle wick, three

(3) knives, two (2) chopping boards, three (3) plates, three (3) spoons, two (2) pans, two (2)

measuring cups, woods, two (2) ladles, twelve (12) bowls, one (1) weighing scale, twelve
(12) empty glass containers, and six (6) pairs of disposal gloves will be prepared in the three

(3) days before the conduct of the study.

2. Preparation of Chemical Reagents, Chemical and Synthetic Pesticide

Lion- Tiger Mosquito killer coil will be purchased from a retailed store before the

conduct of the study.

3. Collection of Ginger Bulb

One (1) kilograms of ginger bulb will be collected from Santa Ana, Tibiao, Antique

one (1) day before the conduct of the study.

4. Collection of Subject

One hundred twenty (120) mosquitoes will be collected from the backyard three (3)

days before the conduct of the study.

5. Preparation of Plots for the Experimentation

There will be four (4) treatments with three (3) replicates each, making a total of
twelve (12) treatments plots. Twelve glass containers will be prepared for each plot. Ten (10)
mosquitoes will be introduced in each glass containers.

C. 1. b. Methods

1. Preparation of Ginger Bulb

Ginger Bulb will be washed thoroughly with tap water and peeled. The peels will be
thrown away while the ginger will be sliced into thin sheets. The sliced Ginger bulb will be
weighed and put into a clean, sterilized container for future use.
 2. Preparation of Treatments

Set-up A. Flammability

Replicate 1: 4g of ginger + 4ml oil + 4g of salt

Replicate 2: 6g of ginger + 4ml oil + 4g of salt

Replicate 3: 8g of ginger + 4ml oil + 4g of salt

Set-up B. Repellency

Replicate 1: 4g of ginger + 5ml oil + 4g of salt

Replicate 2: 4g of ginger + 7ml oil + 4g of salt

Replicate 3: 4g of ginger + 9ml oil + 4g of salt

Set-up C. Burning Time

Replicate 1: 4g of ginger + 4ml oil + 5g of salt

Replicate 2: 4g of ginger + 4ml oil + 7g of salt

Replicate 3: 4g of ginger + 4ml oil + 9g of salt

Set-up D. Positive Control

Replicate 1: 4g of ginger + 5ml oil + 5g of salt

Replicate 2: 6g of ginger + 7ml oil + 7g of salt

Replicate 3: 8g of ginger + 9ml oil + 9g of salt

 3. Application of Treatment

The methodology for application of treatments will use twenty (20) ml of Ginger

Zingiber officinale will be put in a glass container with a help of funnel in a container with a

candle wick and salt. The treatment will be placed beside the container of collection of

subjects. Afterwards, the ten (10) mosquitoes that is placed in the container wherein the upper

part of the container is covered with a net. The net will serve as a seal to avoid escaping and

to prevent it from getting suffocated.

C. 2. Risk and Safety Considerations

One of the potential risks in conducting the study is the possibility of spilling the

cooked hot treatment that are composed of ginger bulb, oil and salt as well as the use of

knives in cutting the ginger bulb into thin sheets and the use of fire. Moreover, mishandling

of the mosquitoes could lead for them to break free which would cause time consuming

process that will lead the researchers to start all over again. Regarding this, proper safety gear

will be used such as oven gloves or path holders and proper handling of equipment will be

applied. Another risk is the handling of the mosquito repellent, so proper laboratory outfit and

gears will be observed.

C.3 Data Analysis

C.3.a. Data Gathering Procedures

To determine the morality rate of mosquitoes, the number of

mosquitoes will be recorded before and after the application of treatments. Mortality counts

will be taken every ten (10) minutes for two (2) hours and expressed as percentage of

mortality. The result of the application of the mosquito repellant will be analyzed and

compared to the result of the treatments which is the most effective compared to the

commercialized mosquito repellant.

C.3.b. Statical Analysis

 The mean will be used to measure the effectiveness of each treatment

on the mortality of mosquitoes. The recorded data will then be analyzed and interpreted by

the researchers using One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s Multiple

Range Test (MRT) to evaluate the significant effect among treatment means if they are more

effective than the commercialized product and to determine if there is a possibility that the

Ginger Zingiber officinale is effective of repelling in terms of flammability, repellency and

burning time.

D. Bibliography
 Shahrajabian, M. H., Sun, W., & Cheng, Q. (2019, April). Clinical aspects and health

benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in both traditional Chinese medicine and

modern industry.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09064710.2019.1606930

Liu, X., Xi, K., Wang, Y., Ma, J., Huang, X., Liu, R., Cai, X., Zhu, Y., Yin, J., Jia, Q.,

Liu, Y. (2022, October). Evaluation of the Contact Toxicity and Physiological Mechanisms of

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Shoot Extract and Selected Major Constituent

Compounds against Melanaphis sorghi Theobald. https://www.mdpi.com/2311-

7524/8/10/944?fbclid=IwAR3B7fKczjWOt-

pT5LPyX6r4ijpfig57ojU9eyFCWywM4zE1FXHNeZoI5qM#:~:text=Ginger%20plant

%20powder%20can%20effectively,on%20maize%20weevil%20%5B15%5D

Strid, A., Hanson, W., Cross, A., Bond, C., Jenkins, J. (2018, February). Insect

Repellents Fact Sheet; National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University

Extension Services. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html

Burke, D. (2019, March). Malaria. https://www.healthline.com/health-

news/mosquitos-the-most-dangerous-animal-on-earth-021216

Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). General Information about Mosquitoes.

https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/general-information-about-

mosquitoes#:~:text=But%20a%20more%20serious%20consequence,encephalitis

%2C%20meningitis%20and%20microcephaly).

Clinical aspects and health benefits of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in both

traditional Chinese medicine and modern industry