Preparation of Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellent Jelly Using Essential Oils and Evaluation of Its Efficacy
Abstract
The developed mosquito-repellent jelly represents an innovative and environmentally sustainable solution without relying on toxic chemicals. It was formulated using five essential oils viz., citronella, lemongrass, clove, neem, and lavender to ensure safety for human skin and eyes, which provide effective repellency. The jelly exhibited 100% effectiveness during the first two hours of application. Although its efficacy gradually declined, reducing to 70% over the subsequent three hours and further decreasing to 40% after four hours. The physical and chemical properties of the jelly were thoroughly evaluated through organoleptic analysis, repellency testing, skin patch testing, eye irritation testing, and inhalation testing, all of which confirmed its safety for further use. This mosquito-repellent jelly offers a natural, eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical repellents, aligning with the growing demand for non-toxic solution in personal care. However, to extend the effective repellency of the mosquito-repellent jelly, an innovative method is required to lock the aroma of the gel, which is responsible for its repellent action.
Keywords: Citronella, Clove, Eco-friendly, Essential oils, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mosquito repellent, Neem, Non-toxic
Keywords:
Citronella, Clove, Eco-friendly, Essential oils, Lavender, Lemongrass, Mosquito repellent Jelly, Neem, Non-toxicDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i5.7138References
1. Jackson, A. Explainer: How climate change is amplifying mosquito-borne diseases. Published under World Mosquito Program Ltd ABN, Monash University. 2022. https://www.worldmosquitoprogram.org/en/news-stories/stories/explainer-how-climate-change-amplifying-mosquito-borne-diseases
2. Rueda LM, Debboun M. Taxonomy, identification, and biology of mosquitoes. In: Mosquitoes, Communities, and Public Health in Texas. Elsevier; 2020;3-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814545-6.00001-8
3. Das BP. Pictorial key to common species of Culex (Culex) mosquitoes associated with Japanese encephalitis virus in India. In: Mosquito Vectors of Japanese Encephalitis Virus from Northern India. Springer India; 2013;25-42. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0861-7_3 PMCid:PMC3699239
4. Kulkarni R, Sapkal GN, Kaushal H, Mourya DT. Japanese encephalitis: A brief review on Indian perspectives. Open Virol J. 2018;12(1):121-130. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874357901812010121 PMid:30288200 PMCid:PMC6142657
5. Sutherst RW. Global change and human vulnerability to vector-borne diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004;17(1):136-173. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.17.1.136-173.2004 PMid:14726459 PMCid:PMC321469
6. Kalyanasundaram M, Mathew N. N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA): A safe and effective repellent for personal protection against hematophagous arthropods. J Med Entomol. 2006;43(3):518-525. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/43.3.518 PMid:16739410
7. Roy DN, Goswami R, Pal A. The insect repellents: A silent environmental chemical toxicant to the health. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2017;50:91-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.01.019 PMid:28171823
8. Şengül Demirak MŞ, Canpolat E. Plant-based bioinsecticides for mosquito control: Impact on insecticide resistance and disease transmission. Insects. 2022;13(2):162. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020162 PMid:35206735 PMCid:PMC8878986
9. Asadollahi A, Khoobdel M, Zahraei-Ramazani A, Azarmi S, Mosawi SH. Effectiveness of plant-based repellents against different Anopheles species: a systematic review. Malar J. 2019;18(1):436. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-3064-8 PMid:31864359 PMCid:PMC6925501
10. Onen H, Luzala MM, Kigozi S, et al. Mosquito-borne diseases and their control strategies: An overview focused on green synthesized plant-based metallic nanoparticles. Insects. 2023;14(3):221. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14030221 PMid:36975906 PMCid:PMC10059804
11. Rivero R, Archaina D, Sosa N, Leiva G, Baldi Coronel B, Schebor C. Development of healthy gummy jellies containing honey and propolis. Journal of the science of food and agriculture. 2020;100(3):1030-1037. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10107 PMid:31646633
12. Sundari P, Sushma C, Srija T. Development of Herbal Mosquito-Repellent Formulations and their Comparative Evaluation. Asia n J Pharm Clin Res. 2023;16(6):127-132 https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2023.v16i6.47274
13. Sharma VP, Ansari MA. Personal protection from mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by burning neem oil in kerosene. J Med Entomol. 1994;31(3):505-507. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/31.3.505 PMid:7914543
14. Nerio LS, Olivero-Verbel J, Stashenko E. Repellent activity of essential oils: a review. Bioresour Technol. 2010;101(1):372-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.07.048 PMid:19729299
15. Oyedele AO, Gbolade AA, Sosan MB, Adewoyin FB, Soyelu OL, Orafidiya OO. Formulation of an effective mosquito-repellent topical product from lemongrass oil. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(3):259-262. https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00120 PMid:12046869
16. Dhere P, Kunjir VV, Veerkar PV, Gadakh A. Formulation and evaluation of herbal mosquito repellent coil. Int. J. of Pharm. Sci. 2024;2(12):1293-1304. doi:10.5281/ZENODO.14374402
17. Tolle MA. Mosquito-borne diseases. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2009;39(4):97-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2009.01.001 PMid:19327647
18. Trivedi A, Rai P, Kumar J. (2018). Formulation of low smoke herbal mosquito repellent sticks by using different essential oils. J. Pharm. Innov. 2018;7(4):173-175. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2018/vol7issue4/PartC/7-3-62-780.pdf
19. Songkro S, Hayook N, Jaisawang J, Maneenuan D, Chuchome T, Kaewnopparat N. Investigation of inclusion complexes of citronella oil, citronellal and citronellol with β-cyclodextrin for mosquito repellent. J Incl Phenom Macrocycl Chem. 2012;72(3-4):339-355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10847-011-9985-7
20. Shapiro R. Prevention of vector transmitted diseases with clove oil insect repellent. J Pediatr Nurs. 2012;27(4):346-349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2011.03.011 PMid:22703681
21. Kalita, B., Bora, S., Sharma, A.K. (2013). Plant Essential Oils As Mosquito Repellent-A Review. Int J Res Dev Pharm Life Sci. 3(1):741-747. https://imsear.searo.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/e0406d6c-b17a-491f-afec-45eec94ec9ab/content
22. Yoo C. 12 Mosquito Repellent Plants. Garden Design Magazine. 2022. https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html
23. Tisgratog R, Sanguanpong U, Grieco JP, Ngoen-Kluan R, Chareonviriyaphap T. Plants traditionally used as mosquito repellents and the implication for their use in vector control. Acta Trop. 2016;157:136-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.01.024 PMid:26826392
24. Chellappandian M, Vasantha-Srinivasan P, Senthil-Nathan S, et al. Botanical essential oils and uses as mosquitocides and repellents against dengue. Environ Int. 2018;113:214-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.038 PMid:29453089
25. Shivhare RS, Kamble MA, Mahapatra DK, Ingole AR, Baheti JR. Development of mosquito repellant gel formulations from various natural volatile oils: comparative study with the marketed formulation odomos®. J Drug Deliv Ther. 2018;8(6):106-110. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v8i6.2031
26. Sutthanont N, Sudsawang M, Phanpoowong T, et al. Effectiveness of Herbal Essential Oils as Single and Combined Repellents against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles dirus and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). Insects. 2022;13(7):658. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070658 PMid:35886836 PMCid:PMC9322308
27. Halim Rd. Lesmana O. Sitepu FY. The effect of citronella oil as anti-mosquito spray. International Journal of Mosquito Research. 2021;8(5):44-47. https://www.dipterajournal.com/pdf/2021/vol8issue5/PartA/8-5-9-812.pdf
28. Chatterjee S, Bag S, Biswal D, et al. Neem-based products as potential eco-friendly mosquito control agents over conventional eco-toxic chemical pesticides-A review. Acta Trop. 2023;240(106858):106858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106858 PMid:36750152
29. Setyaningsih D, Roselly F, Muna N. Formulation of essential oils as mosquito repellent. J Trop Pharm Chem. 2020;5(2):71-79. https://doi.org/10.25026/jtpc.v5i2.231
30. Sanga AG, Mazigo HD, Manjurano A, Morona D, Thomas A, Kweka EJ. Measuring repellence and mortality effects of clove and cinnamon essential oils impregnated nets against Anopheles gambiae senso stricto using tunnel test. Journal of Natural Pesticide Research. 2023;5(100046):100046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.napere.2023.100046
31. Naik BR, Tyagi BK, Xue RD. Mosquito-borne diseases in India over the past 50 years and their Global Public Health Implications: A Systematic Review. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2023;39(4):258-277. https://doi.org/10.2987/23-7131 PMid:38108431
32. Guarner J, Hale GL. Four human diseases with significant public health impact caused by mosquito-borne flaviviruses: West Nile, Zika, dengue and yellow fever. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2019;36(3):170-176. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semdp.2019.04.009 PMid:31006554
33. Gupta DK, Gupta R, Tiwari A. Novel formulation and evaluation of poly herbal mosquito repellent. Research Square. Published online 2022. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1900478/v2
34. Ranasinghe MSN. Arambewela L. Samarasinghe S. Development of herbal mosquito repellent formulations. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2016;7(9):3643-3648. https://doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7(9):3643-48
Published
Abstract Display: 2126
PDF Downloads: 2094
PDF Downloads: 771 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2025 Priya Singh, Neha Behar , Sumit Kumar Dubey

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).

.