Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Division of Biñan City
BIÑAN SECONDARY SCHOOL OF APPLIED ACADEMICS
Purok 3, Brgy. Sto. Tomas, Biñan City, Laguna

Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) and

Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon) as Mosquito Coil

Sequito, Hannah Marie Princess B.

Lumawag, Shailla Jeann R.
Bonifacio, Kyle Cedric H.
Researcher/s

DIANE M. FURIO
Research Adviser

July 2023
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Philippines is a fertile and tropical land, which means that mosquitoes
often live in these places because of the high temperatures. Most mosquitoes are
found in grubby and populated locations like Metro Manila, Central Luzon,
Calabarzon, and Central Visayas. Mosquitoes are more active in temperatures
above 80 degrees. However, they become less active when the conditions get too hot
and dry. According to Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Abstracts (2019) dengue fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses have been major
issues for the Departments of Education and Health. Numerous plants, including
lemongrass and oregano, are used to repel mosquitos in the Philippines due to
their strong scented aroma.

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health concern in many parts of

the world, and the use of mosquito repellents is an important strategy for reducing
the risk of infection. However, many commercial mosquito repellents contain
chemicals that may be harmful to human health and the environment. As such,
there is a growing interest in developing natural alternatives for mosquito
repellents. Oregano and lemongrass are two plants that have been traditionally
used for their insect-repellent properties. These plants contain volatile compounds
that are known to repel mosquitoes.

According to the University Of Sydney (2017), There is growing concerned

about the negative health effects of indoor mosquito coils and stick burning. The
insecticides used are generally thought to be safe, but the particulate matter
produced by a smoldering mosquito coil poses the greatest risk. Is it accurate to
say that "burning one mosquito coil in a closed room equates to smoking roughly
100 cigarettes," as some have claimed. The link between smoking and poor health
outcomes is undeniable. What about mosquito coil smoke, especially if exposure is
almost daily, as it is in some countries. According to one study, the particulate
matter produced by burning one mosquito coil is equivalent to smoking 75-137
cigarettes.

According to the NCBI (2017), Oregano oil is considered an excellent antiseptic

and insect repellent because it has some active ingredients such as carvacrol,
thymol, and α-terpinene reported being highly effective in repelling mosquitoes.
According to the Creative Commons (2016), Oregano onites were repellent to both
Aedes aegypti and A. Americanum. Carvacrol and thymol were strongly repellent to
Aedes aegypti and A. americanum. Since carvacrol and thymol have been
implicated as skin sensitizers, the allergenic and sensitization issues must be
considered in any development of the carvacrol type O. onites EO as a repellent
product to be used on the skin.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) is the most widely used natural mosquito

repellent found in candles, sprays, and lotions. To help stop mosquitoes with their
strong scent, plant lemongrass along walkways and in locations close to seating
areas. In any case, lemongrass is used extensively as a natural mosquito repellent.
It contains the compound citronella that helps to mask the scents that mosquitoes
rely on to target hosts which are carbon dioxide and lactic acid. A study concludes
that volatile oils of Lemon grass possess mosquitoes (A. gambiae and An. funestus)
repellent and adulticidal effects, especially at higher concentrations, and can be
used to reduce human-mosquito contacts and hence mosquito-borne diseases and
irritation caused by their bites, according to International Journal Of Medical
Science And Clinical Invention (2020).
 This study will evaluate the mosquito-repellent properties of oregano and
lemongrass extracts and determine the most effective formulation of the mosquito
coil. The study will also assess the potential health and environmental risks
associated with using oregano and lemongrass mosquito coils, and develop a safe
and effective formulation that can be used by consumers. The findings of this study
may have implications for the development of natural and sustainable alternatives
for mosquito repellents, which may contribute to public health and environmental
sustainability.

Research Objectives
The study focused on the:
1. To determine the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass mosquito coils
compared to commercial products using the following ingredients:

1.1 Oregano extract

1.2 Lemongrass extract

MIXTURE 1
70% Oregano
30% Lemongrass

MIXTURE 2
50% Oregano
50% Lemongrass
MIXTURE 3
33% Oregano
67% Lemongrass

2. How could we determine the optimal concentration of oregano and lemongrass

extract for maximum mosquito repellent activity?

3. How could we assess the duration of effectiveness of the oregano and lemongrass
mosquito coils?
4. What could we possibly do to identify the active compounds responsible for the
mosquito-repellent activity of oregano and lemongrass extract?

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the feasibility of the Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)
and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) as a natural-based mosquito coil that fights
against Dengue fever, Malaria, and Zika virus. The purpose of this study is to
determine the degree of repellency of the mentioned indigenous plants against
Aedes aegypti and to use it as a mosquito repellent with no side effects as an
alternative to synthetic chemical repellents.
Statement of Hypothesis

HO: Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) are not

effective as natural-based mosquito coils.

HA: Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) are effective

as natural base mosquito coils.

Review of Related Literature

According to Creative Commons, Oregano onites were repellent to both

Aedes aegypti and A. Americanum. Carvacrol and thymol were strongly
repellent to Aedes aegypti and A. Americanum. Since carvacrol and thymol
have been implicated as skin sensitizers, the allergenic and sensitisation
issues must be considered in any development of the carvacrol type O. onites
EO as a repellent product to be used on the
skin.

According to Akshantala Enterprises Private Limited, the researchers

intended to study the effect of mosquito repellents on lung function. The
study would be important to create awareness regarding the usage of
mosquito repellent and to adapt non-harmful methods of preventing
mosquito coil.
 According to the International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical
Invention Lemon grass ( Cymbopogon winteriatus) has long been recognized
for it's therapeutic, cosmetic and insecticidal properties. The lemon grass
(Cymbopogon winterianus) is indigenous to India and Southeast Asia. It is
commonly used as a herb in Cuisine in Asia. It is a shallowly rooted
perennial rhizome. Culms are tufted and robust, reaching up to 2 m in
height.Leaf sheaths are glabrous and reddish on the inside;blades are
relatively thin, drooping 2/3 of the way down.Lemon grass is also referred to
as achara ehi or achara tea.Its essential oils are all-natural products,exhibit
a wide range of biological properties, including anticonvulsant and anxiolytic
(Almeida et al., 2001, 2003 and 2004). The essential oils extracted from its
leaves are used in cosmetics,fragrance, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and
flavoring industries. The oil is used in traditional medicine has been used as
an aromatic tea, vermifuge, and antiseptic antispasmodic and diuretic.

According to World Ngayon Lemon grass (Cybopogon citrates) is a

perennial herb popular in Asian cooking. It is frequently used in teas, soups,
and curries. Lemon grass is known as "tanglad" in the Philippines and is
widely used to flavor Filipino cuisine. Lemon grass provides organic
repellents against mosquitos, according to a study conducted by the
Department of Plant Production Technology and the Faculty of Agricultural
Technology in Bangkok, Thailand. In a laboratory experiment, volunteers
were told to apply oil extracts from various target crops, including lemon
grass, to one arm while leaving the other untreated (control). Both hands
were placed in a cage with 250 nulliparous female mosquitos aged 5-7 days.
Mosquitoes' movements and behaviors were observed. Oil extracts of lemon
grass, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and cloves were found to be
effective at repelling both dengue and malaria mosquitos.

According to Philippine E-Journals Dengue is a potentially fatal

mosquito-borne disease that can be contracted through the bite of an
infected Aedes species. It affects over 100 countries, but mostly tropical and
subtropical areas, such as the Philippines. According to the WHO, the best
prevention for dengue endemicity is the provision of knowledge, awareness,
and preventive measures. Despite ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of
the virus, the incidence of dengue fever continues to rise (Cañada et al.,
2020).

According to the Ascendent Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research

Abstracts, Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health concern in all
tropical and subtropical countries. Malaria, filariasis, yellow fever, and
dengue fever are among the diseases spread. Over the centuries, various
methods for combating mosquito-borne diseases have been investigated.
Significant research efforts have demonstrated that essential oil compounds
and extracts, as well as their derivatives, are an effective and alternative
method of controlling nuisance mosquitoes, and their property of rapid
degradation in the environment has favored its increased specificity. Erasga,
Dhaniel C. (2019)
 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collection Of Materials
The materials used for the research are 70% oregano and 30% lemongrass in a
mixture. 1: 50% of oregano and 50% of lemongrass in mixture 2, 33% of oregano,
and 67% of lemongrass in mixture 3. For the tools, a mortar and pestle were used
for pulverizing the oregano and lemongrass; a steamer was used for steaming the
oregano leaves and lemongrass; and lastly, a 500-ml beaker glass was used for
lengthening the mixture of oregano and lemongrass.

Preparation of Oregano and Lemongrass

The oregano leaves and lemongrass will be collected and cleaned thoroughly to
remove any dirt or impurities. Oregano and lemongrass were placed outside to
sundry for 1–2 days.

The dried peels were crushed into smaller pieces using a mortar and pestle; this
helped make the pulverizing process easier.
 The oregano leaves and lemongrass leaves will be steamed to get the extract.
After steaming the oregano and lemongrass leaves, strain the oil from the leaves.

In this method, the three (3) different mixtures (70% oregano and 30%
lemongrass, 50% oregano and 50% lemongrass, and 33% oregano and 67%
lemongrass) were tested to further analyze their effectiveness. Three (3) attempts
for each mixture, making a total of nine (9) samples. )

Data Gathering
The researchers prepared an approval letter for the study at Binan Secondary
School of Applied Academics. The researchers will give a questionnaire checklist to
the respondents and explain to them how important their responses will be.

Mosquito coil Testing

To form Mosquito coils, 50% of oregano and 50% of lemongrass. Mortar and
pestle are going to be used to pulverize the oregano and Lemongrass; a steamer is
going to be used to steam the oregano and lemongrass; and lastly, a 500-ml beaker
is going to be used for measuring oregano and lemongrass.

To test the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass as a mosquito coil, three

different mixtures will be used: 70% oregano and 30% lemongrass in mixture 1,
50% oregano and 50% lemongrass in mixture 2, and 33% oregano and 67%
lemongrass in mixture 3. The materials for the test include oregano leaves,
lemongrass stalks, a mortar and pestle for pulverizing, a steamer for steaming the
oregano leaves and lemongrass, and a 500 ml beaker glass for lengthening the
mixture of oregano and lemongrass. Nine (9) samples will be made, with three (3)
attempts for each mixture. The effectiveness of the mosquito coils will be
determined by conducting a mosquito repellency test (in a controlled environment ).

A questionnaire will be given to a group of respondents who will use the three
different mixtures of mosquito coils to clarify which of the three is effective in
killing mosquitoes and to gather their feedback on scent and overall experience.
The data gathered will be analyzed and interpreted to determine the most effective
mixture for repelling mosquitoes.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

The researchers prepared an approval letter for the study at Binan Secondary
School of Applied Academics. The researchers will give a questionnaire checklist to
the respondents and explain to them how important their responses will be.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The data collected from the experiment were analyzed using a questionnaire
checklist that was given to respondents to determine the effectiveness of each type
of coil.

The results of the experiment suggest that oregano and lemongrass can be effective
in repelling mosquitoes.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Online Source

Erasga, D. C. (2019, January 18). ORE-katol: Organum Vulgare as Mosquito

Repellant.https://ojs.aaresearchindex.com/index.php/AAJMRS/article/view/4124

Nwanya, E., Oparaocha, E. T., Okoroafor, I. E., & Oyamienlen, C. S. (2020).

Preliminary Study of the Mosquito Repellent and Adulticidal Effects of Volatile Oils of
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon winterianus) in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria.
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Quinto, L. F. (2020). Assessing the Knowledge, Awareness, and Preventive Measures

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS