Research
Research
Research
Presented to
Science Department
Project Proponents
REGINE GRACE R. DACILLO (Ptolemy)
ISABELLA T. SUITADO (Pythagoras)
GABRIEL ADAM C. MABANSAG (Ptolemy)
YUKI J. KURUMIYA (Peano)
ANGELINE MAE A. CAPIRAL (Pasteur)
MICHAELA CAMILLE M. SANTOS (Pasteur)
XEAN XYRONE Y. PADUA (Priestley)
VINCE NEIL J. GALZOTE (Pythagoras)
BRENTH JORIZ N. SERRANO (Pythagoras)
Research Advisers
Mrs. Marilu R. Lorzano
Mr. Ric Garry C. Buenavie
Ms. Jenica Lopez
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ACKNOWLDEGEMENT
Foremost, the researchers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the
following:
Mr. Ric Garry C. Buenavie, one of our research advisers, for the continuous support
Mrs. Marilu R. Lorzano, for her guidance that helped the researchers in all the time
Ms. Jenica Lopez, for her patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and immense
knowledge;
The members, for the stimulating discussions, for working together before deadlines,
The researchers would all like to express their utmost gratitude to the Almighty God
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgement …….………..……………………………………………..2
Objectives
Hypothesis
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
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In this study, the researchers will conduct an experiment about the usage of Basil
The researchers find out that the Philippines is currently fighting against dengue
every year and a lot of people are being affected by it. The researchers also find that the
Philippines has the most dengue cases in Southeast Asia in 2019. The researchers also
observe that when people use mosquito repellent lotion in their skin, it sticks, and it is quite
In this research, the researchers will study and will investigate about finding other
alternatives in repelling mosquitoes. Not only will it repel the mosquito around the person,
The researchers will study and will investigate if the Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
The researchers choose to use Basil leaves because it has four of the mosquito-
repellant volatiles that contain estragole. This estragole is the one responsible for the scent
This study will show the effectiveness of the product towards the people and the
The researcher aims to know the properties of the mixture of insect repellents, the
significant difference/s among the concentration of the extracts utilized in the effectiveness of
the produced insect repellent, and which among the three solutions is the most effective
insect repellent.
Research Objectives
Hypothesis
Many pathogenic diseases that the mosquitoes carry had caused people to panic,
repellants, however, are chemically produced and chemicals are a scarce resource. This has
led the researchers to find an alternative resource for the mosquito repellents so that the
This study will provide an insect repellent with substances that are not harmful to
2. Society
The researchers want to have an alternative ingredient that will substitute the major
3. Environment
The proposed product for this research will come from natural and renewable
resources.
4. Community
The insect repellent that contains basil (Ocimum basilicum) and calamondin
(Citrofortunella microcarpa) can lessen the population of the numerous insects in our
community. For this reason, the researchers also want to decrease the possibility of
5. Economy
The insect repellent with basil (Ocimum basilicum) and calamondin (Citrofortunella
microcarpa) as active ingredients costs less and will be more accessible and
6. Future researchers
This study is beneficial to future researchers for this can be their basis for future
studies. This study and the results that will follow can be used as a theoretical
framework for another study. They can also use the recommendations that will be
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provided by the researchers and use it for further studies. In general, the findings of
this study can be useful to all the future researchers that will conduct studies related to
this.
There are factors that can affect the different aspects of the variables of the
researchers’ study. These are weather, location, temperature, repellent effectiveness, and
human health side effects. Weather and temperature can be factors that can affect the
effectiveness of the mosquito repellent. The lower the temperature and the more humid the
weather is, the higher the chance of getting a colony of mosquitoes that can be carriers of
different kinds of diseases to humans. The effectiveness of the mosquito repellent also
depends on the location where the study will take place. If the location of the study is within
rivers, esteros, canals, and other moist places, there will be a high possibility to have a bigger
chance of getting a disease because of the mosquitoes. Thus, the researchers must be
observant in concentrating the amounts of the active ingredients to further minimize and
abolish the mosquitoes that transmit diseases to humans. Lastly, the researchers should
observe the effect of the mosquito repellent on human health. The repellent should be
naturally made and synthetic chemical-free to avoid irritation and other bad effects to human
beings.
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Conceptual Framework
Figure 1.
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mosquito repellent, this paradigm is about the researchers' plan on making an effective
product. Input contains the ingredients needed for the product, process has the proposed steps
that the researchers will be doing, and the assumed final product of this research, the product
CHAPTER II
Foreign Literature
DEET (diethyltoluamide), Icaridin, Citrioldiol, and IR3535 are the main compounds
that are approved to use for mosquito repellent. Among these four ingredients, DEET is the
most commonly used compound for mosquito repellent. Guidelines have stated that DEET
has no risk to humans. However, it has been related to seizures in a tiny portion of people that
are estimated to be around 1 in 100 million users. In fact, DEET can be a reason for the
unpleasant toxic-like smell and greasy feel in most mosquito repellents. DEET also has the
According to a study in Everglades National Park conducted in the late 1980s, DEET
had been proved to have negative health effect based on the experiment that resulted in a full
one-quarter of the subjects that experienced effects like rashes, skin irritation, numb or
burning lips, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating and these effects is blamed on
experiment on rats and found that prolonged and frequent exposure to DEET resulted in brain
cell death and behavioral changes. The experiment also concluded that humans should stay
On the other hand, basil and calamondin belong to a group of plants that can repel
mosquitoes and a variety of harmful mosquitoes. These plants also exhibit better effects and
benefits than the commercial mosquito repellents that use toxic chemicals which may harm
humans. As one of the main ingredients of this research, basil (Ocimum basilicum) has a wide
range of benefits to our skin. Basil has properties that help protect the skin from some effects
of aging. It is presumed to nourish, fix, balance, cool, smooth, exfoliate and light up the
appearance. Basil oil has the properties to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses on the skin. It can
also help deal with skin irritations. In addition to that, the oil also helps to enhance immune
function, protect against infection, reduce water intention, and stabilize irregular
menstruation.
Basil does not just help with the physical aspect. There are also benefits for the
body’s organ systems that include its ability to help you have good digestion, improve mood,
support liver function, relieve pain, boost the immune system, detoxify the body, prevent
premature aging, and heal skin conditions. As a result, basil is a viable treatment for a variety
of ailments.
Arthropod bites are better avoided by avoiding infested areas, wearing protective
clothing, and using insect repellent. Applying repellent lotions to the skin is the most
convenient way to protect you against mosquitoes. It is common knowledge that a bite from a
carrier arthropod may result in the transmission of disease, it is important to know how to
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protect ourselves from getting the diseases. There are two categories of commercially
available insect repellents available in the market— synthetic chemicals and plant-derived
Tom Oder (2014) stated that essential oils in these plants act as nature’s bug
repellent and insects tend to avoid them. But Oder claims that simply including insect
repellent plants in your landscape will not ensure total protection against insects. Dr. Bodie
Pennisi, an associate professor, and extension landscape specialist said “The concentration of
oils is not there to offer that kind of protection.” However, Pennisi also said that no one’s
done the research into how many plants and claims that plants that are close together are
The compounds with insect-repellent activities in basil essential oil are borneol and
camphor. These articles state that both compounds have distinctive aromas that mosquitoes
tend to react to. It also says that DEET worked by blocking the insect’s ability to detect 1-
octen-3-ol that can be found in human sweat and breath. That would mean that the insects,
which find their human victims by smell, would neglect body parts with DEET on them.
The findings of a study conducted by New Mexico State University on the efficacy
Science. Three of the products (Repel 100® Insect Repellent, OFF® Deep Woods Insect
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Repellent VIII, and Cutter® Skinsations Insect Repellent) were mosquito anti-agents that
contained DEET as the dynamic fixing, and four of the items (Cutter® Natural Insect
Repellent, and Avon® Skin So Soft Bug Guard) were mosquito anti-agents that didn't contain
DEET. Avon® Skin So Soft Bath Oil, Victoria's Secret® Bombshell perfume, and Mosquito
Skin Patch®, a skin patch with vitamin B1 as the active ingredient, were the other three items
The products were tested toward two mosquito species, the yellow fever mosquito
(Aedesaegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedesalbopictus), both of which are known
In less than 30 minutes, mosquito repellents that have DEET as an ingredient either
did not have any repelling effect on Aedesa egypti. Cutter® Lemon Eucalyptus Insect
Repellent was the only exception that had a strong repellent effect during the 240-minute test.
The oil and perfume had to repel effects on mosquitoes meanwhile the skin patch did not.
Two repellents that did not have DEET as an ingredient successfully repelled mosquitoes
during the experimentation. Avon® Skin So Soft Bug Guard had a significant repelling effect
that lasted for 120 minutes. The bath oil and skin patch 000seemed to have no repellency on
Aedesal bopictus, however, the perfume did for Aedesa egypti for 120 minutes.
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Local Literature
Medical Dengue Coordinator for Metro Manila revealed that besides being an herb,
lemongrass also has properties that can repel dengue mosquitoes. Many of the mosquito
repellents in the market are made effective mostly because of them out of chemical bases.
The most popular chemical used in these commercially made mosquito repellents is DEET,
that hav DEET. They may come as liquids, lotions, sprays, and even wristbands. 4 to 100
percent direct contact with the human skin is registered as DEET. The usage of DEET and
DEET-based products has not been fully established in the Philippines. Acute Systemic and
Mosquito Repelling Compound, a research conducted by students from the University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) showed skin irritation and allergies as a result of DEET
DEET in different concentrations using mice. The first set-up with 50 percent or less
concentration did show any signs of skin irritation. On the other hand, the second set-up that
has 100 percent DEET concentrations produced second-degree redness. “Lower DEET
concentrations can be treated as non and reasonably stable to use. However, based on the
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reactions of studied animals, 100 percent DEET can be identified as a possible irritant and
Foreign Studies
A study about the mosquito repellent activity of essential oils extracted from
aromatic plants was conducted in Argentina (Gillij, Gleiser, &Zygadlo, 2008). The objective
of the study was to produce mosquito repellent using the essential oils which can for DEET.
Results of the study show that the essential oils have the capability of repelling mosquitos
and that R. Offinalis is the most effective essential oil. The repellency time of the R. Offinalis
lasted longer compared to the other essential oils extracted, with 12.5% concentration. The
researcher also discovered that Limonene and Camphor are the main components that affect
A study that reviewed the efficiency, development and testing of plant-based insect
repellents revealed that plant-based repellents have been widely used as protection against
mosquitoes for the past years (Maia & Moore, 2011). The plants used have compounds that
are used to prevent attacks from plant eating ( phytophagous) insects. These repellents contain
compounds and chemicals that are categorized which includes repellents, toxins, and growth
insects. In fact, many are also effective against mosquitoes and other biting Diptera (true
flies).
A research in Korea was conducted to compare the repellency of three repellents with
different bases: DEET, citronella, fennel oil (Jong, et. al., 2015). The results of the study
show that the DEET-based mosquito repellent has a longer repellency time of 360 minutes
compared to the repellency time of the citronella based and fennel oil-based with 10.5
minutes and 8.4 minutes respectively. Despite the longer repellency time of the DEET based
repellent, KFDA (Korean Food and Drug Administration) countered that DEET is a toxic
chemical that can trigger severe sensory disturbances that can possibly affect motor skills,
memory and learning ability. The study also stated that organic mosquito repellents may be
in Bangkok, Thailand confirmed that lemongrass has components that have properties that
repel mosquitoes. In the experiment researchers did, participants were asked to apply target
crops, including lemon grass oil, on one of their arms while the other arm has nothing applied
to it. The participants’ arms were enclosed inside a cage with 250 nulliparous female
mosquitoes that ranges from 5-7 days old. The researchers observed the mosquitoes’
movements and behaviours. According to the results of the study, Dengue and malaria
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mosquitoes were repelled by oils from lemon grass, peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and
Another study that has the same results as the previous study is the research
Natural Mosquito Repellent”. Researchers compared the repellence of lemon grass and DEET
based repellents and they discovered that lemon grass extract can be an alternative to artificial
The study that contains natural extracts as prime components of an insect repellent
analyzed the capability of different plants to be an active ingredient for natural mosquito
repellents: Mexican marigold, Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citrosa. It indicates that active
compounds can be found in the plant which serves as antifeedants. When contrasting the
protection times of the commercial organic repellents, the organic repellents gave 34 minutes
commercial repellents.
Local Studies
(Citronella microcarpa) extracts as the main ingredient of an insect repellent. The researchers
19
mixed it with carrier oils then they mixed it in a spray bottle. Based on the results of the
commercial repellent, but effective as a natural mosquito repellent. Common plants with
insect-repelling effects did not originate from the Philippines and can be a possible ecological
threat.
121 informants from five villages aged between 20-60 years old from Ayta people
from Porac, Pampanga, Philippines were interviewed to know more about the insect repellent
plants that are available in the community. Use-value (UV and Informant Consensus factor
(FIC) were used to analyze the plants. The survey yielded a list of 54 plant species classified
into 49 genera and 26 families. The Fabaceae family comprises the most species with insect
repellent activity. The seven most common plants used as insect repellents dependent on UVs
are mainly exotic plants: (1) Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, (2) Gliricidia sepium
(Jacq.) Walp., (3) Eucalyptus sp., (4) Gmelina arborea Roxb., (5) Blumea balsamifera (L.),
DC., and (6) Azadirachta indica Phyllodium pulchellum (L.) Desv., and (7) Phyllodium
pulchellum (L.) Desv. The FIC value (0.74) indicates that the Ayta agrees in their selection of
plants. The parts that were mostly used in the experiment were leaves and stems that were
dried and burned first. The researchers claim that the smoke of the burning plants was the one
that drove the insects away. Published works promote the use of Leucaena leucocephala,
This study may be the basis for phytochemical screening for insect repellents.
Ethnobotanical documentation is also another purpose of the study that will help the Ayta
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
The study will apply the experimental method of research, which aims to know the
testing to understand causal processes. Generally, one or more variables are manipulated to
Research Sampling
The researchers will utilize the purposive sampling for the study because the
researchers know that it is the most effective and accurate method in order to succeed the
experiment.
characteristics of a population and the objective of the study. Purposive sampling is also
known as judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling. The researchers will focus on the
effectiveness of the sample containing different percentages of basil and calamondin extracts
in finding the specific antimicrobial and insect repellent properties of the solution. This
sampling technique will be helpful for the researchers in order for the data to be specific and
Research Instrument
The study will use applied testing to determine the effectiveness of the created
The testing involved the repellent with Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Calamondin
(Citrofortunella microcarpa) as alternative main ingredients for the insect repellent in form
of a gel air freshener. The applied testing is in the method of finding the number of
The researchers want to obtain the following materials: 1 cup basil, 7 pieces of
calamondin fruit, 2 cups canola oil, 2 sachets of gelatin, slow cooker, strainer, bowl, small
sealable glass container. The researchers want to have these raw ingredients and materials in
order to have an accurate and good product for the alternative insect repellent.
Note: Glycerin may be used in the solution together with the mixture of the homogenous
This functions as the base ingredient of the insect repellent in order to stabilize and neutralize
the acidity of the calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) extract and the strong odor that
A. General Procedures
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The study is about testing the feasibility of the mixture of basil (Ocimum basilicum)
researchers will use basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves and calamondin (Citrofortunella
microcarpa) fruit in finding its effectiveness in reducing and repelling insects that
contain numerous diseases such as dengue. The researchers will use three set-ups to
(Citrofortunella microcarpa) extracts for them to know the specific role of the
extracts in the insect repellent. After the experiments, the results will be thoroughly
discussed.
B. Specific Procedures
abundant sources such as different markets and stores and the basil (Ocimum basilicum) will
order to obtain these main ingredients for the making of an alternative insect repellent. These
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ingredients are also convenient to the researchers because they are abundant in the scope of
Basil Calamondin
https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-harvest- https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/
basil-4869843 backyard-fruit.html
Collection of basil (Ocimum basilicum) and calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa)
2. Preparation of Extracts
researchers will gather calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa), cut them in half, and
extract the juice out of the fruit. The zest and the seeds are not necessary for the
product and it will be disposed properly through disposing it in the compost pit.
The pressure cooker will be filled with water by the researchers. The
researchers will use fresh cut basil (a fully packed pressure cooker - about 3 - 4 KG).
The basil will now be placed on a vegetable steamer basket or pot by the researchers.
The researchers will fill the condenser with cold water and will also add blocks of ice
and periodically remove the surface hot water and replace it with cold water and more
ice so that the condenser stays cool (needs to stay cool for the condensation process to
work.)
The researchers will turn the gas on, after a short time the water begins to boil and
the steam coming out of the pressure cooker is condensed in the condenser to a liquid
form. After a few minutes of distillate production, a fine layer of oil begins to form on
Extraction of Calamondin
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-
Calamansi-Juice
Condenser (Water and a block of ice) Putting Basil inside the pressure
cooker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=bGlMDt1cT_4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=bGlMDt1cT_4
freshener. With that, the researchers will start the process of making the insect
repellent by boiling a cup (235 mL) of distilled water first before dissolving 28 grams
After the mixture is removed from heat, the researchers will add another cup (235
calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) extract, a mold inhibitor like salt, and a few
drops of food coloring for determination purposes. The researchers will transfer the
mixture to a smaller container and let it cool inside the refrigerator for 1 hour for a
quick set.
Making of Product
Boiling of Water
https://www.espwaterproducts.com/what-to-
do-when-boil-water-advisory-is-lifted/
4 Different Set-Ups
Experimental Set-ups
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The researchers will have first a control set-up. The control set-up will contain
(Citrofortunella microcarpa) extract. In this set-up 10% of the solution will be the
pure basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves extract and a 10% part of the solution will be
the pure calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) extract. Aside from the control set-
up, there are 3 set-ups that will be done by the researchers. First is a 15% basil
this process, the researchers will test the effectiveness of calamondin (Citrofortunella
numerous insects in epidemicity. Second is 25% basil (Ocimum basilicum) with 25%
will test the effectiveness of the balanced basil (Ocimum basilicum) and calamondin
reducing insects that contain numerous diseases. Third is 35% basil (Ocimum
ratio of solution will target the repulsion between the solution and the insects with
Note: The other percentage in a solution may contain gelatin, water, glycerin, and
essential oil that are important in the sublimation process of the solution.
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10 % solution of pure
Calamondin
10 % solution of pure Basil
Fig. 6 Control Set-Up
15 % solution of pure
Calamondin
35 % solution of pure Basil
Evaluation of the Product Fig. 7 Three Manipulated Set-Ups
Good Points
One of the good points of this product is that instead of using Citronella, the
researchers will use an alternative ingredient in making the mosquito repellent. The
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ingredients the researchers will use are Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Calamondin
they can make it at home. It is also organic so it is safe to use by everyone. It is effective as a
mosquito repellent because the ingredients the researchers will use are all natural and known
The researchers thought of a way to improve the scent of the mosquito repellent
because some people do not like the scent of the other mosquito repellent. The product will
not have the scent of the normal mosquito repellent so it will not bother the user. The
ingredients the researchers will use are available in supermarkets, stores, etc. They are also
inexpensive and easy to find. If you want, you can plant the ingredients the researchers used
Statistical Treatment
The researchers want to use t-test as the main statistical treatment in order to show
the different relations between the statistician and researchers’ confidence level about the
future results of the study. In addition, the researchers want to seek help for a statistician
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about using the accurate statistical treatment to implement and present the data in its most
obtain the accurate results and implications of the study to avoid committing errors while
getting each of the measurements in the future observations that will be inferred by the
researchers.
The researchers also want to seek more information from statisticians, experts, and
professionals about the analysis of variance in the data that will be collected. In the ANOVA
statistical test of whether or not the means of several groups are equal, and therefore
generalizes the t-test to more than two groups. It means that the researchers use this statistical
tool in order to show the implications and generalizations of the organized t-test based data in
quantitative measurements that will be obtained by the researchers in the future. In the case of
That ANOVAs are useful for comparing (testing) three or more means (groups or
variables) for statistical significance to weigh the different observations in each variable
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https://www.entsoc.org/press-releases/researchers-compare-natural-mosquito-repellents-deet
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