Philippine Journal of Science

149 (4): 1029-1037, December 2020

ISSN 0031 - 7683
Date Received: 03 Mar 2020

Mosquito Repellent Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

(Cananga odorata) Essential Oil in Urea-Formaldehyde
Microencapsulated Cotton Fabric

Eriko Lois B. Reyes1, Marvin D. Menor1, Michelle G. Munsayac1,

John Bryan P. Notario1, Gianne Henriette A. Ogaco1,
Jueliand Peter A. Perez1, Eleanor Kay S. Ramos1,
Susan Geraldine C. Tengco1, Phyllis C. Rio1, and Allan L. Hilario2*

1Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, College of Medicine

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Intramuros, Manila 1002 Philippines
2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine

University of the Philippines Manila, Ermita, Manila 1000 Philippines

Common mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines include dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese

encephalitis, malaria, and filariasis. Mosquito repellents are effective protective measures
against mosquito bites and microencapsulation of essential oils to fabric is currently an emerging
trend for mosquito repellency. Accordingly, “ylang-ylang” (Cananga odorata) is a fast-growing
tree endemic to the Philippines and found to have mosquito repellent properties. This study
aimed to determine the mosquito repellency of microencapsulated ylang-ylang oil applied
to cotton fabrics. The difference in the mosquito repellent property between untreated and
treated fabrics in different concentrations of microencapsulated ylang-ylang oil was tested.
The prepared microcapsules containing 10 mL and 2.5 mL ylang-ylang oil were applied to
separate cotton fabrics using a bath exhaustion method. The fabrics were examined using a
scanning electron microscope and showed irregularly shaped and rough-walled microcapsules
with sizes ranging 50–100 μm. The fabrics were then tested for mosquito repellency using the
World Health Organization (WHO) cone test in five replicates. An untreated fabric served
as negative control. The test of significance used the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA),
and the p-value was set at p < 0.05. The fabrics treated with 10 mL and 2.5 mL microcapsules
showed increasing rates of mosquito repellency from 80 ± 10% to 88 ± 8.37% and from 64
± 5.48% to 82 ± 8.37%, respectively (p < 0.05). The mosquito percent repellency showed a
significantly higher % repellency in treated than the untreated fabric (p < 0.05). The fabric
with microcapsules containing 10 mL of ylang-ylang oil has greater mosquito repellency than
that of 2.5 mL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests the potential of urea-formaldehyde
microencapsulation as an effective method in making cotton fabrics with mosquito repellent
properties using ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil.

Keywords: essential oil, microencapsulation, mosquito repellent, ylang-ylang

*Corresponding Author: alhilario@up.edu.ph

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Vol. 149 No. 4, December 2020 Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

INTRODUCTION 2011). Furthermore, a simple application of natural herbal

extract to fabrics may produce unwanted coloring and
Mosquitoes are considered to be one of the deadliest insects short periods of mosquito repellency, which are easily
in the world due to their ability to spread diseases and cause removed by repeated washing. A simple application
millions of deaths per year. As of 2017, the WHO reported may also cause problems with colorfastness in clothing
that vector-borne infection accounted for more than 17% of manufacture (Das et al. 2003).
all infectious illnesses. Globally, these diseases cause more
than 700,000 deaths every year, with malaria alone causing As the direct application of natural insect repellents
400,000 deaths. Moreover, the worldwide incidence of to textiles has been proven inefficient in prolonging
dengue rose 30-fold within the past 30 years, with a current repellency and durability, the use of microcapsules is,
estimate of 96 M cases per year and with more than 3.9 therefore, considered to provide a durable and long-
B individuals in over 128 countries being at high risk of lasting repellent finish that could be applied to numerous
contracting dengue (WHO 2017). types of fibers with increased longevity despite multiple
washing (Li et al. 2008). Microencapsulation is a process
In the Philippines, common mosquito-borne infections in which tiny particles with diameters between 1 and
include viral infections such as dengue, Chikungunya, and 1000 µm, where the core materials are surrounded by
Japanese encephalitis, and parasitic infections like malaria a coating polymer or shell producing microcapsules.
and filariasis (DOST 2016). In order to prevent contracting Microencapsulation is an effective method because
these diseases, intensive mosquito prevention and control it can protect the active components from reacting
measures, including personal protective measures against with moisture, light, and oxygen. Microcapsules
mosquito bites, are of urgent importance. Among these attached to the fabric can be useful so that the release
protective measures, mosquito repellents such as those of the core material can be controlled in a long-acting
in lotions, coils, and liquidators are commonly used for manner and lessen possible toxicity (Sharma and Goel
personal mosquito bite prevention (DOH 2017). 2018). The active components give the fabric a long-
Although mosquito repellents are effective for bite lasting effect of mosquito repellency. Thus, higher
prevention, synthetic repellents contain harmful substances durability of functionality is, therefore, expected
such as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET); picaridin; upon using this process (Specos et al. 2010). Through
allethrins; permethrin; myricetin; and 3-[N-butyl-N- microencapsulation, natural herbal extracts and essential
acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester. These substances oils with mosquito repellent properties can be applied to
produce harmful side effects including skin irritation, cotton textiles (Miro Specos et al. 2017).
eczema, and choking hazards from burning fumes (Jajpura Coacervation is a type of microencapsulation technique
et al. 2015). Moreover, DEET – the most effective that can be classified either as simple or complex. A
repellent – has several adverse effects, including some simple coacervation method involves changing the pH
sensory, motor, memory, and learning disturbances (Abou- and temperature of the mixture to obtain the protein
Donia et al. 2001). Due to all of these harmful effects, precipitation around the droplets. A controlled coacervation
natural plant-based insect repellents are now preferred must be observed to achieve homogeneous precipitation of
and recommended over synthetic ones. proteins around oil droplets (Lazko et al. 2004; Türkoğlu
One innovative way to apply these plant-based repellents et al. 2020). Compared to complex coacervation, a simple
is through treating fabrics with natural herbal extracts. coacervation involves the use of only a single polymer such
These mosquito repellent fabrics are developed in as gelatin or ethyl cellulose in aqueous or organic media,
consequence of the limitations and drawbacks of the respectively (Dubey et al. 2009).
synthetic repellents. This method is considered effective Cananga odorata, commonly known as ylang-ylang,
in avoiding mosquito bites because a large portion of is a fast-maturing tree that can be found endogenous in
the human body is clothed. Since these are plant-based tropical Asian countries, including the Philippines (see
repellents, they are easily biodegradable, not absorbed Figure 1). The essential oils extracted from the flowers and
by the skin, not removed when sweating, and are deemed leaves via steam distillation from this plant have exhibited
safe for they have already been commonly used for a long antimicrobial, insecticidal, and anti-inflammatory
time. Moreover, many plant-based repellents contain activities. Moreover, several studies show that ylang-
compounds that should be used with caution for they may ylang is found to have insect-repellent properties (Saedi
irritate the skin like ylang-ylang oil, which is described and Crawford 2006; Cheng et al. 2012; Tan et al. 2015).
to be hazardous above 2% concentration. However,
there are methods like microencapsulation, which may Since ylang-ylang has already been found to have repellent
attenuate this toxic effect when compared with simple properties, this study aimed to 1) test the mosquito
application onto the fabrics and skin (Maia and Moore repellency of cotton fabric treated with microcapsules

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Vol. 149 No. 4, December 2020 Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

Figure 1. Photograph of ylang-ylang showing the leaves, flower, and seeds from a mature branch.

containing ylang-ylang essential oil extract using urea- and kept at room temperature until microencapsulation.
formaldehyde encapsulation compared with untreated
fabric, and 2) determine the mosquito repellency of cotton
Preparation of Urea Formaldehyde Polymer
fabric treated with different concentration of ylang-ylang
Fifty grams (50 g) of urea were mixed with 100 mL of 37%
essential oils.
formaldehyde. Thirty (30) drops of concentrated sulfuric
acid were added to the mixture, which was stirred constantly.
The mixture was centrifuged at 4,200 x g in batches and
the precipitates were pooled. The pooled precipitate was
MATERIALS AND METHODS resuspended and washed with distilled water, centrifuged
The study was approved by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod at 4,200 x g, and cleared of the supernatant. This procedure
ng Maynila’s (PLM) College of Medicine Publication and was repeated three times. The precipitate was filtered,
Review Committee and was registered to the Research collected, dried, and stored in an amber-colored bottle at 4
Grants and Administration Office, University of the °C until further use. All chemicals used in this study were
Philippines Manila. This study used a quasi-experimental laboratory-grade and sourced from Sigma-Aldrich (Merck
design and was conducted at the Biochemistry Laboratory KgaA, Darmstadt, Germany).
of PLM’s College of Medicine.
Microencapsulation Method
Sampling Method A simple coacervation method of microencapsulation
The cotton fabrics were purchased from a local fabric was done using a urea-formaldehyde polymer as the
shop in Manila and were woven with 100% cotton fabric coating material and ylang-ylang essential oil as the core
with 150 thread count, while the ylang-ylang essential material. Twenty grams (20 g) of urea-formaldehyde was
oil was purchased from a shop in Manila. The cotton mixed with 200 mL distilled water and left to swell for
fabrics, measuring 58 cm2 for each sample and weighing 30 min. One hundred milliliters (100 mL) of hot water
1.20 g each, were washed and bleached using sodium was added to the mixture while the mixture was being
hypochlorite (Zonrox™ Bleach, Greencross Inc., Manila, stirred constantly in a hot plate maintaining a temperature
Philippines) for an antimicrobial finish prior to the of 40–50 °C. The stirring was continued until all urea-
microencapsulation method. The fabrics were air-dried formaldehyde resins were dissolved. Ten milliliters (10

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Vol. 149 No. 4, December 2020 Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

mL) of ylang-ylang essential oil was added in the solution aegypti and reared at the laboratory condition of about 27 ±
and was stirred for 15 min. The drop-by-drop addition of 2 °C and 70 ± 10% humidity. Batches of about 3–5-day-old
20% sodium sulfate solution was done until the mixture mated but non-blood-fed mosquitoes were used in the test.
reached a volume of 250 mL in a span of 10 min with a The cone test was done in the laboratory condition similar
ylang-ylang concentration of 4%. The cotton fabric was to the rearing condition of the mosquitoes. The cone used
immersed in the microcapsule solution for 30 min. The was made of plastic with a base diameter of 12 cm and
fabric was squeezed and dried in an oven at 80–85 °C to a height of 6 cm. The untreated and treated fabrics were
cure the polymer and to ensure that excess formaldehyde placed at the base of the cone. Ten (10) susceptible, non-
in the fabric has evaporated. The fabric was kept in a blood fed female mature adult mosquitoes were released
closed amber glass container until further use. inside the cone. The repellency of adult mosquitoes was
observed, noted, and recorded at a 10-min interval for
Another set-up was done using a similar microencapsulation 1 h. Repellency in this study is defined as the quality
method but, instead of 10 mL, 2.5 mL of ylang-ylang or capacity to drive away and was measured using the
essential oil was used with a concentration of 1%. The number of landing/resting of the adult mosquitoes on the
third fabric sample was the untreated cotton fabric, which filter paper, and the % repellency value was calculated for
was only washed, breached and dried, and kept in a similar each time interval. The % repellency of adult mosquitoes
manner until further use. was computed using the formula:
% repellency = 100 – {X/N x 100}
Characterization of Urea-Formaldehyde
Microencapsulated Fabric where X is the number of mosquitoes landed/rested on
The morphology and size of different concentrations the filter paper and N is the total number of mosquitoes.
of microcapsules attached to the cotton fabrics were
examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The mean % repellency ± standard deviation (SD) was
The SEM used was a JEOL 5310 model (JEOL Ltd., reported for the untreated and treated fabric with 2.5 mL
Tokyo, Japan) equipped with secondary and backscattered and 10 mL of ylang-ylang essential oil microencapsulated
electron detectors. It has a suitable accelerating voltage with the urea-formaldehyde polymer.
and magnification equipped with an AMETEK EDAX
ELEMENT energy dispersive spectroscopy system. Data Analysis
All samples were coated with gold to make the sample Data gathered from scanning electron microscopy were
conductive using a JEOL JFC-1200 fine coater (JEOL described and results of the % repellency in mean ±
Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) before setting it into the equipment SD were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. A post hoc
for visualization using an accelerating voltage under analysis was made using Dunnett’s multiple comparison
thermal vacuum. SEM micrographs were taken at an t-test. All statistical tests were conducted using the IBM
accelerating voltage of 15 kV. Micrographs were taken SPSS Statistics software. Statistical significance was set
with the SemAfore software (Insinooritoimisto Rimppi at p < 0.05.
Oy, Finland).

Mosquito Repellent Test

The WHO cone test method was used for testing the RESULTS
mosquito repellency of the cotton fabrics, which were
untreated and treated with urea-formaldehyde and ylang- Characterization of the Urea Formaldehyde
ylang microcapsules containing 2.5 mL and 10 mL of Microencapsulation
ylang-ylang essential oils for one hour in 10-min intervals. The urea-formaldehyde with ylang-ylang essential oil
Samples were analyzed at the Standards and Testing microcapsules (UFY microcapsules) were noted to adhere
Division, Industrial Technology Development Institute, to the cotton fabrics, as shown in Figure 2. The UFY
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Taguig, microcapsules formed were of different sizes ranging from
Metro Manila, Philippines. The cone test method used 50–100 μm with a rough surface and variable shapes. The
was based on the WHO Guidelines for Efficacy Testing UFY microcapsules were also distributed throughout the
of Spatial Repellents (WHO 2013a) and WHO Guidelines different parts of the cotton fabric. Some agglomeration
for Testing Mosquito Adulticides for Indoor Residual of microcapsules and the formation of microparticles were
Spraying and Treatment of Mosquito Nets (WHO 2013b). observed. A closer look of the UFY microcapsule, at 5400x
The tests were run in five replicates. magnification (Figure 2C), shows that the microcapsules
In brief, the test mosquito used was female adult Aedes have irregular shapes with rough walls.

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Vol. 149 No. 4, December 2020 Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrographs of microcapsules taken at magnifications (A) 300x; (B) 1000x; and (C)
5400x with accelerating voltage of 15 kV. A black arrow is pointing to a microcapsule on the cotton fiber.

Mosquito Repellency Test fabric remained stable over the exposure period. Both mean
The mosquito repellency response to 10 mL of C. odorata % repellency of the treated cotton fabric was significantly
essential oil of UFY microcapsule-treated cotton fabric higher than the untreated cotton fabric (p < 0.05).
was observed at an increasing rate from 80 ± 10% to
88 ± 8.37% within 60 min of the exposure period. The
peak of mean % repellency was observed at 40–60 min
of exposure period from 86 ± 5.48% to 88 ± 8.37% (see DISCUSSION
Figure 2). The mean % repellency of 10 mL of C. odorata
Plants produce significant amounts of phytogenic volatile
essential oil of UFY microcapsule-treated cotton fabric
organic compounds, which are composed of terpenoids,
was significantly higher than the mean % repellency of
phenylpropanoids, benzenoids, and volatile fatty acid
2.5 mL of C. odorata essential oil of UFY microcapsule-
derivatives derived from various and different biosynthetic
treated cotton fabric at all intervals (p < 0.05).
pathways in plant metabolism. These phytochemicals are
The mosquito repellency response to 2.5 mL of C. odorata used by plants for various biological processes, such as
essential oil of UFY microcapsule-treated cotton fabric for defense against a multitude of pathogens, parasites,
was observed at a significantly lower rate from 64 ± 5.48% and herbivores. They are also used for attracting insects
to 82 ± 8.37% within 60 min of exposure period when which are good pollinators to increase their productive
compared with the 10 mL of C. odorata essential oil of potential. Furthermore, these phytochemicals can also be
UFY microcapsule-treated cotton fabric (p < 0.05). The used as repellents for some insects like mosquitoes, which
peak mean % repellency was observed at a 50–60-min are known to cause various human diseases. Hence, these
exposure period. There was a decrease in the mean % phytochemicals are being used as natural herbal extracts
repellency noted from 82 ± 8.37% to 80 ± 7.07% at 20–30 as repellents for mosquitoes to prevent mosquito-borne
min exposure period and continued to increase afterward illnesses such as dengue (Park et al. 2005; Dudareva et
(see Figure 3). al. 2013; Muhlemann et al. 2014).

The untreated cotton fabric showed % repellency rates The use of natural herbal extracts is gaining wide
ranging from 22 ± 4.47% to 22 ± 8.36 within 60 min of the popularity in mosquito repellency in the Philippines and
exposure period. The % repellency of the untreated cotton worldwide due to its safety profile and efficacy. These

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Vol. 149 No. 4, December 2020 Property of “Ylang-Ylang”

Figure 3. Rate of mosquito % repellency of urea-formaldehyde microcapsule treated fabric with ylang-ylang
essential oil in concentrations at 10, 2.5, and 0 mL (untreated).

natural herbal extracts are components of a wide variety of repellent activities. Linalool is a monoterpene alcohol
commercially available mosquito repellents in our country, found in nature with a nice to pleasant scent. Syed and Leal
which are applied directly to the exposed skin to prevent (2008) discovered in their study that the odor receptors
mosquito bites. These commercial mosquito repellents that respond to DEET are the same odor receptors being
in the form of lotions and sprays contain essential oils activated by linalool through their investigation of the
from lavender, peppermint, basil, eucalyptus, chamomile, electrophysiological effect of repellents on mosquito
lemongrass, geranium, citronella, cedar, and pine trees. olfactory receptors. Interestingly, a study by Park and
However, the use of ylang-ylang essential oil in these colleagues (2005) reported that linalool can enhance up
products is not in demand due to its cost, despite its proven to 92% the protection from mosquito bites and for around
efficacy in mosquito repellency (Pastor 2010; Soonwera 1 h based on the human forearm bioassay they performed
and Phasomkusolsil 2015). using Culex pipiens pallens. Additionally, the mechanism
of action of linalool in acetylcholinesterase inhibition
Several studies have shown the efficacy of ylang-ylang is well-understood. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter
(C. odorata) essential oil as a mosquito repellent (Saedi responsible for normal nerve conduction. It is degraded
and Crawford 2006; Phasomkusolsil and Soonwera 2011; by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Inhibition of
Cheng et al. 2012). The essential oil of C. odorata contains this enzyme disrupts normal neurotransmission by
several compounds. The principal compounds include inactivating acetylcholine. It has been shown that linalool
linalool, linalool acetate, α-pinene, eugenol, α-terpineol is a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and
acetate, isobornyl acetate, α-terpineol, camphor, has the ability to disrupt neurotransmission in insects.
β-caryophyllene, γ-muurolene, humulene, geranyl acetate, Furthermore, linalool occupies at least the hydrophobic
bergamotene, benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, methyl site of the enzyme's active center, eliciting its mechanism
benzoate, ρ-methylanisole, and germacrene D – which (Ryan and Byrne 1988).
can be found in the leaves and the flowers of ylang-ylang
(Caballero-Gallardo et al. 2011; Cheng et al. 2012). The use of mosquito repellents applied to the skin for
Furthermore, it also contains 4% farnesol, which is a protection from mosquito bites using natural herbal
sensitizing skin irritant. Thus, only 2% is the maximum extracts or using commercial products containing
safe concentration for C. odorata essential oil to be used as these natural herbal extracts is just one of the many
botanical repellents (Maia and Moore 2011). However, the environmental controls being explored in curbing the
group of compounds responsible for its known mosquito increasing prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. The
repellency including larvicidal property is due to its advancement in textile and clothing manufacturing
linalool family of compounds. industries have incorporated the use of mosquito repellents
applied directly to textiles and clothing fabrics. These
Linalool is a competitive and reversible inhibitor of mosquito repellents are synthetic chemicals or naturally
acetylcholinesterase, and is one of the potential bioactive occurring compounds from herbal sources. Mosquito-
compounds found in the essential oil of C. odorata that repellent textiles are now being used in bags, mosquito
accounts for the insecticidal, larvicidal, and mosquito

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nets, tents, and military apparel. skin irritation. Formaldehyde can cause skin irritation
and ill health effects in the form of fumes and when the
Mosquito-repellent fabrics use microencapsulation, which air concentration exceeds 1 ppm. Microencapsulation
is a technique used in clothing manufacture. This new provides slow disintegration of urea-formaldehyde
and innovative technology uses various microcapsules polymers and circumvents the fume formation of
that act as microscopic containers of mosquito repellent formaldehyde. However, the use of urea-formaldehyde
compounds and are applied directly to the fabric. These microencapsulation of ylang-ylang (C. odorata) essential
microcapsules release their core contents, which could be oil in cotton fabrics for clothing manufacture should be
of synthetic origin or from natural herbal extracts under subjected to rigorous application studies.
controlled conditions to suit a specific purpose (Malik et
al. 2020). Recent studies already show this technique to be
effective in the insect repellency activities of natural herb
extracts such as cedarwood, eucalyptus, and citronella oil
CONCLUSION
(Sharma and Goel 2018; Türkoğlu et al. 2020).
The study showed that the mosquito repellent ylang-ylang
Microencapsulation also circumvents the disadvantage (C. odorata) can be applied to cotton fabrics using the urea
of skin irritation, some health side effects, and unwanted and formaldehyde microencapsulation method. Based on
fabric coloring and staining using natural herbal extracts. the SEM characteristics of the treated fabrics, irregularly
Additionally, it also improves the potency by preventing shaped microcapsules ranging from 50–100 μm in size
evaporation and controlling volatility, which helps in adhered to the treated cotton fabrics. Using the WHO
stabilizing the compounds by protecting them from cone test, the study revealed that the urea-formaldehyde
oxidation that may be caused by moisture, heat, and microcapsule with C. odorata essential oil-treated cotton
contact with other substances (Misni et al. 2017). This fabrics showed significantly higher mosquito repellency
study has proven the utility of microencapsulation using against adult female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes than
urea and formaldehyde as the shelling compound, and the untreated fabric. The treated fabrics with a higher
the C. odorata essential oil as the core compound with concentration of C. odorata essential oil (10 mL) showed
mosquito repellent property that can be applied to clothing significantly greater mosquito repellency than the treated
fabrics. fabric with a lower concentration of C. odorata essential
This repellent activity, however, may diminish after the oil (2.5 mL). This study suggests the potential of urea-
cloth is washed multiple times. This study was limited formaldehyde microencapsulation as an effective method
only to the mosquito repellency in unwashed cotton fabric, in preserving the insect repellent property of C. odorata
and binding agents were not employed for the industrial essential oil and can be a potential mosquito repellent to
finish. However, a simple coacervation method is shown be used in clothing fabric.
to decrease aroma after up to ten washing cycles. The use
of natural herbal extracts as mosquito repellents directly
applied to the fabric has less applicability due to its
limited durability. However, the use of microencapsulation STATEMENT ON CONFLICT OF
can improve the durability of fabrics despite multiple INTEREST
washing. The possible harmful effects of either the The authors declare no conflict of interest in this study.
shelling polymers for microencapsulation or the mosquito
repellents in the core of the microcapsules can also be
lessened when applied to clothing fabrics than direct
application of these on the skin (Raja et al. 2015).
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