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Orange Peels and Rosemary as an Alternative Insect Repellent

A Science Investigatory Project Presented to

The Basic Education Department

Holy Angel University

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Enrichment in Science

Submitted by:

Group 6

Maderazo, Bryce Jasem N.

Ocampo, Jemy Anne O.

Pabalan, Sofia Marielle G.

Panes, Kirsten Lianne F.

Quiambao, Loraine Maryjo L.

Rabena, Ralph Jourielle C.

10 – St. Catherine of Siena

Submitted to:

Dr. Jona Lynvi D. Barawid

November 10, 2023

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Orange Peels and Rosemary as an Alternative Insect Repellent

Background of the Study

Over the past years, insects posed a significant public health concern (Kelby, 2021).

According to the World Health Organization (2020), over 700,000 people died each year due to

vector-borne diseases, an illness caused by vectors (arthropods that transmitted harmful and

infectious diseases by biting). To combat these diseases and the discomfort of insect bites, the

use of insect repellents became paramount (Asadollahi et al., 2023). As stated by Thorpe

(2023), Traditional chemical repellents proved effective, but concerns about their safety and

environmental impact spurred interest in natural alternatives.

Natural ingredients were proven effective to repel insects. Others might have

experienced varying effects on their skin due to natural ingredients, with potential irritation

dependent on individual skin type or specific allergies. Using a natural insect repellent was

preferable for activities that involved going outside such as hiking, especially when it came to

children as commercial repellents have active chemicals (Yasin and Marcin, 2023).

One of the natural ingredients used in insect repellents is citrus peels, particularly orange

peels. As stated by Lemus (2023), insects were greatly repelled by the strong, acidic scent of

citrus fruits, which they found highly unpleasant. While humans might have found the aroma of

citrus refreshing, insects perceived it as overpowering and unappealing.

In addition, rosemary, a plant that contained essential oils also showed potential as an

insect repellant. According to Cox (2023), rosemary contained insect repellent compounds such

as cineole, camphor, citronella, and limonene. Rosemary, according to Yoo (2022), was a

perennial herb with a woodsy scent that repelled insects but attracted people.
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Although researches of orange peels and rosemary were proved to work as an effective

insect repellent, there was significantly less understanding in terms of combining the two as an

effective natural insect repellent.

Review of Related Literature

Repellent substances prevented mosquitos from landing and biting by masking the

carbon dioxide and lactic acid in human sweat. The combination of coreceptors and odorant

receptors acted as an ion channel, enhancing mosquitoes’ perception of a specific smell.

Blocking that channel could therefore have been a powerful way to repel the insects (Lee,

2018).

When it came to repellency, people intended to choose one that was not only effective

but also safe. Natural repellents' active ingredients primarily included plants because they do not

impose toxic chemicals that could affect both animals and humans. Thus, these were safe both

for the environment and humans. That was why plant-based repellents were more patronized by

many than chemically-based repellents (Gupta et al., 2017).

As many commercial insect repellents contain chemicals, they might cause harm to

human and environmental health. While natural insect repellents don’t as long as synthetic

repellents, they are safer and better for the environment to use (Marks, 2023).

Dr. Verma (2020) proved that spreading orange peels throughout gardens efficiently

deterred insects. Additionally, applying it to the skin prevented mosquito bites. Its acidic aroma

prevented insects from picking human skin as their meal. Furthermore, they enriched the soil

with nutrients, allowing plants to grow better and safer to eat (Ritterman, 2022).
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Kevin (2022) argued that using rotting orange peels might have drawn more insects,

making it less convenient as the crops could have been destroyed. Furthermore, according to

Ginta (2023), some people could have developed allergic reactions simply by touching a citrus

fruit, primarily caused by the chemical limonene.

Oranges are natural fruits of Southeast Asia and the Philippines; while orange trees

might not have been often seen, oranges were always available in marketplaces. Citrus sinensis

(navel orange) production was a significant economic activity in several major production areas

in southern China, with the Gannan region being the most notable (Li et al., 2021).

Moreover, fruit peels were a plentiful source of bioactive chemicals but were frequently

ignored by the food industry. Essential oils extracted from citrus peels were a rich source of

healthy chemical compounds, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, dietary fibers,

proteins, fats, sugars, and chemicals with insecticidal properties (Haokip et al., 2023).

Despite its high nutritional value, people typically just left the peel to dry out and rot due

to the fact that it was not edible. Even without the inside, citrus fruits still had 50% of their

weight, which led to additional waste and could have led to further pollution (Czech et al.,

2019).

Every year, over 1 million tons of fruit waste were generated in the Philippines. Mr. Ooi

(2021) estimated that this equated to around 50,000 40-foot containers. Kumar et al. (2020)

added that the processing of fruits and vegetables resulted in 30–40% of the product being

wasted, thus leading to significant dietary and economic losses as well as environmental issues.

Containing 90.018% of this component, studies found that d-limonene was in fact

effective when it came to repelling insects. D-limonene was a main component found in citrus

peels like oranges (Mursiti, 2018).

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On the other hand, rosemary has compounds renowned for their repellent properties,

such as cineole, camphor, and limonene. Crushed rosemary emits its compounds into the air,

forming a barrier that repelled mosquitoes. According to studies, even 20% of rosemary oil

could have repelled insects (Mizzurati, 2023).

Rosemary is a member of Lamiaceae, a type of mint native to the Mediterranean. It is

described as an evergreen herb that was fragrant and known as a spice for cooking, for

perfumes, and many others (Nordqvist, 2023).

Rosemary was usually used in cooking; however, as stated by Miche (2023), it also

contained an oil that was popular given its fresh and herbaceous scent. Rosemary oil was used

in various ways, one of which was to improve memory, reduce stress, and help hair growth.

Among its many uses, it was also used to repel insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Its

oil contained active ingredients including camphor, cineole, and alpha-pinene that helped in

repelling insects.

Statement of the Problem

The general objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of orange peels

with rosemary as an alternative repellent for insects. This study specifically aimed to answer the

following:

1. How were orange peels with rosemary as an insect repellent different from commercial

ones in terms of:

a) time it took for the insects to die;

b) time it took for the insects to avoid the area when the insect repellent was used; and

c) time it took for the insect/s to return to the area after the insect repellent took effect.
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Hypotheses

Ha ≠ There was a significant difference in effectiveness and duration in repelling insects

between orange peels with rosemary repellent compared to commercial repellents.

Ho = There was no significant difference in effectiveness and duration in repelling insects

between orange peels with rosemary repellent compared to commercial repellents.

Ha ≠ There was a significant difference in effectiveness and duration in killing insects between

orange peels with rosemary repellent compared to commercial repellents.

Ho = There was no significant difference in effectiveness and duration in killing insects

between orange peels with rosemary repellent compared to commercial repellents.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework guided the researchers in conducting the experiment,

outlining the necessary materials, the process of making the repellent, and the expected output

of the study.

In the first column, the input column showed the variables used in the study, such as

orange peels and rosemary for insect repellent, as well as insects as experimental objects.

Meanwhile, the process column displayed the techniques in conducting the research. The

first step was the preparation of the orange peels with rosemary repellent, followed by testing

the alternative repellent on insects, organizing the data, and finally, analyzing the data through

statistics.

The last column, the output, showed the expected results of the alternative insect

repellent made from orange peels and rosemary.

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Significance of the Study

Orange peels and rosemary as insect repellents provided several beneficial effects for

various stakeholders, including the orange and rosemary industries, the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), environmentally conscious individuals, farmers

or gardeners, students, families, and future researchers. Most importantly, it protected against

bug bites, serving as a crucial defense against discomfort and the potential risk of insect-borne

infections, which could be particularly harmful to those with limited access to healthcare. This

experiment aided the orange and rosemary industries by potentially opening up new marketing

opportunities and promoting eco-friendly branding. Similarly, it benefited the DENR by

reducing waste and unnecessary trash. Since the repellent didn't include any harmful substances,
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it helped reduce crop-eating insects and improved crop health, benefiting many farmers and

gardeners. Families and students also benefited from using the orange and rosemary repellent

because it reduced exposure to harmful chemicals and was safe for kids (unless allergic).

Additionally, it was less expensive because consumers could create the repellent themselves if it

proved to be effective rather than buying unsafe commercial repellents from stores that

contained chemicals. Lastly, future researchers could use this study for future references to

identify gaps and information that would assist them in their research endeavors.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study was focused on making an insect repellent out of orange peels and rosemary.

The following materials were used for the insect repellent: orange peels and rosemary. The

study was conducted in the 3rd quarter of the school year 2023-2024 at Angeles City,

Pampanga. The chosen timeframe of one week might have coincided with heightened insect

activity, but it lacked consideration for potential seasonal fluctuations in insect behavior as well

as consideration for the long-term effectiveness of orange peels as an insect repellent that

extended beyond this specific period of the year.

Method

Research Design

This study aimed to test the efficacy of orange peels combined with rosemary as an

alternative insect repellent, through the use of a true experimental design. The independent

variables were orange peels combined with rosemary, which worked as an alternative insect

repellent, and the dependent variable was insect behavior. Equal numbers of insects and periods

of observation were the control variables.

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The instruments and devices used in the experiments were: containers to house insects

during trials, orange peels and rosemary as the alternative insect repellent, a timer to monitor

insect behavior, and commercial insect repellent as a control. This experiment made use of four

containers. Two of the containers were attached together with a tube in the middle to form a

single container. Each container contained one insect. Container 1 contained the orange and

rosemary insect repellent for testing, whereas container 2 had the commercial insect repellent.

Both containers were observed for 40 minutes.

Data management complied with data after the experiment. The mean and standard

deviation were the statistical tools that were required for data analysis. The T-test was used to

compare the orange peel and rosemary repellent to the control

Materials

Three orange peels and one cup of rosemary were the main ingredients for the

experiment. Second, water was used to help boil the main ingredients. Third, a saucepan was

used to boil the mixture on the stove. Then, a spoon was used to stir the mixture. A bowl was

used to store the mixture, a strainer was used to strain the mixture, and a funnel was used to

help add the mixture to the spray bottle after boiling the mixture. The 500ml spray bottle was

used to store the mixture. Finally, the plastic container was used to house the insects.

Procedures

To begin, the necessary ingredients and materials were gathered: orange peels,

rosemary, water, saucepan, stove, spoon, strainer, bowl, funnel, and spray bottle. The orange

peels and rosemary were placed in the saucepan with water and put on the stove to boil for 10

minutes (while stirring occasionally). Once it finished boiling, it was allowed to cool for 5

minutes. Then, the mixture was poured into a clean bowl, and a funnel was used to safely place
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the mixture in the spray bottle. The bottle was shaken thoroughly before spraying the mixture

into the container holding the insects.

Data Collectiom
Objectives Data Sources Data Collection Describe briefly
Requirements Technique/Method the procedure
used
The general objective of
this study was to
determine the
effectiveness of orange
peels with rosemary as an
alternative repellent for
insects. This study
specifically aimed to
answer the following:
1. How were
orange peels
with rosemary
as an insect
repellent
different from
synthetic ones
in terms of:
a. time it took
for the a. time it a. timer a. quantitative a. a timer was used
insects to took for data was to determine
avoid the the b. timer collected by how long it took
area when insects using a for the insects to
the insect to leave timer go to the
repellent the area b. quantitative container
was used; data was without the
and b. time it collected by repellent
b. time it took took for using a b. A timer was
for insects the timer used to
to return to insects determine how
the area to return long it took for
after the to the the insects to
insect area return to the first
repellent container after
took effect? the repellent's
scent had been
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released.imer
was used to
determine how
long it took for
the insects to
return to the first
container after
the repellent's
scent had been
released.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Results

Table 1 showed the behavior of the insects treated with commercialized repellent and the

orange peels and rosemary insect repellent over a specific amount of time. The test was held for

a total of 40 minutes on both repellents, while checking on the insect's behavior every 5-10

minutes. hand, the orange peels with rosemary repellent took longer to work yet still succeeded

in killing the insects.

Table 1: Behavior of Insects on both repellents

Time Behavior of the Insect with Behavior of the Insects with the
the Commercial Insect Orange peels with Rosemary
Repellent Repellent

5 mins Alive Alive

10 mins Barely moving Alive

15 mins Only its wings are moving Moving slowly

20 mins Dead Barely moving

30 mins Dead Dead

40 mins Dead Dead

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Table 2 displayed the time at which the insects migrated from the repellent-filled

container to the repellent-free container. The insects were monitored every ten minutes during

the forty minutes of the test. A check mark (/) was placed if the insect moved from the repellent-

filled container to the repellent-free container, while an x (X) mark was placed if not. The

commercial insect repellent test result revealed that the insect remained in the repellent-filled

container for 40 minutes, as it had already perished by the time the 30-minute mark elapsed.

The orange peels with rosemary repellent achieved the same result; the insect remained in the

container for 40 minutes but did not go to the one without the repellent.

Table 2: Time of insects to move from the repellent-filled container to the repellent-free

container.

Time of insects to move from Commercial Insect Orange peels with

the repellent-filled container to Repellent Rosemary Repellent
the repellent-free container.

5 minutes X X

10 minutes X X

15 minutes X X

20 minutes X X

30 minutes X X

40 minutes X X

Discussion
The effectiveness of orange peels with rosemary as an alternative insect repellent was

examined. The results of the alternative insect repellent on mosquitoes showed that both the

orange peels with rosemary and commercial insect repellent were effective. In line with Yasin
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and Marcin (2023), the results showed that natural ingredients worked effectively to repel

insects.

As seen in the results, although the effect was slower, orange peels still worked as an

insect repellent. This claim was supported by Lemus (2023), that insects were indeed repelled

by the strong and acidic smell of orange peels.

Based on the given data, it also showed that rosemary also worked effectively as an

insect repellent. As indicated by Yoo (2022), compounds of rosemary such as cineole, camphor,

citronella, and limonene certainly repelled insects.

Conclusion

Based on the data gathered, the researchers came up with the following conclusion:

a. the use of the orange peels with rosemary as an insect repellent takes a longer time to

kill insects than the commercial repellent;

b. the use of both the orange peels with rosemary insect repellent and commercial repellent

is unsuccessful in making the insect avoid the area with the insect repellent as the tube in

the middle is rather narrow; and

c. the use of both the orange peels with rosemary insect repellent and commercial repellent

is unsuccessful in making the insect return to the area after the repellent takes effect, as

the insect did not avoid the area in the first place.

Henceforth, the researchers accept the alternative hypothesis, as the use of orange peels with

rosemary as an alternative insect repellent is effective. It is also proven that the effect of the
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orange peels with rosemary is comparable to the commercial repellent. Therefore, the

researchers reject the null hypothesis.

Recommendation
The researchers recommend to future researchers who are also interested in doing a

similar study:

a. during the process of making the product, make sure that when boiling the orange peels

and rosemaries, keep an eye on them and do not boil them on high heat for too long, so

it would not caramelize;

b. when pouring it into the container, always remember to leave a space at the top so that

the product will not leak;

c. do not spray the repellent directly on the insects so it won’t suffocate;

d. test the repellent on a plant and on different insects’ species to further determine if it

works effectively; and

e. try adding other organic/natural ingredients to further enhance the product.

References
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Asadollahi, A., Khoobdel, M., Zahraei-Ramazani, A., Azarmi, S., & Mosawi, S. H. (2019,

December 21). Effectiveness of plant-based repellents against

different Anopheles species: A systematic review. Malaria journal 18(1), 416.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-019-3064-8

Czech, A., Zarycka, E., Yanovych, D., Zasadna, Z., Grzegorczyk, I., & Kłys, S. (2020). Mineral

content of the pulp and peel of various citrus fruit cultivars. Biological Trace Element

Research, 193(2), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01727-1

Di Mizzurati, S. (2023, August 15). Does rosemary repel mosquitoes? This culinary delight is

full of surprises. Home & Gardens. https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/does-

rosemary-repel-mosquitoes

Ginta, D. (2023, May 22). Do you have a citrus allergy? Learn about the symptoms. Healthline.

https://www.healthline.com/health/citrus-allergy#symptoms

Gupta, A. & Singh, A. (2017). Development of natural mosquito repellent cotton fabric using

sweet lime peel. International journal of home science, 3(2), 443-446.

https://www.homesciencejournal.com/archives/2017/vol3issue2/PartG/3-2-67-739.pdf

Haokip, S. W., Sheikh, K. A., Das, S., Devi, O. B., Singh, Y. D., Wangchu, L., & Heisnam, P.

(2023, July 22). Unraveling physicochemical profiles and bioactivities of citrus peel

essential oils: a comprehensive review. European Food Research and

Technology, 249(11), 2821–2834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-023-04330-w

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Kelby. (2021, September 30). What are the harmful effects of insects? Sciencing.

https://sciencing.com/what-are-the-harmful-effects-of-insects-13406076.html

Kumar, H., Bhardwaj, K., Sharma, R., Nepovimova, E., Kuča, K., Dhanjal, D. S., Verma, R.,

Bhardwaj, P., Sharma, S., & Kumar, D. (2020, June 18). Fruit and vegetable peels:

Utilization of high value horticultural waste in novel industrial applications. Molecules,

25(12), 2812. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25122812

Lallemand, S. (2022, April 23). Using orange peel to deter pests – an organic way to regain

control over your garden. Islander Media Group Inc.

https://www.islandernews.com/lifestyle/using-orange-peel-to-deter-pests-an-organic-

way-to-regain-control-over-your-garden/article_b7cbcfa8-c23f-11ec-89df-

93dcd1ce7a09.html#:~:text=According%20to%20chef%20and%20garden,your

%20plants%2C'%20Laura%20explains.

Lee, M. Y. (2018, October 2). Essential oils as repellents against arthropods. BioMed Research

International, 2018, 6860271. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6189689/

Lemus, A. (2023, July 13). Discover 12 smells that flies absolutely hate. AZ Animals. https://a-

z-animals.com/blog/smells-flies-hate/

Li, Y., Lu, L., Xu, C., Yang, T., & Wang, Y. (2021, February). UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based

untargeted metabolomics for discrimination of navel oranges from different

geographical origins of China. LWT, 137, 110382.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110382

Marks, H. (2023, September 17). Natural mosquito repellents. WebMD.

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/alternative-mosquito-repellents
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Miche, T. (2023, February 19). Natural bug repellents. Miche Pest Control.

https://www.michepestcontrol.com/blog/post/natural-bug-repellents

Mursiti, S., Lestari, N. A., Febriana, Z., Rosanti, Y. M., & Ningsih, T. W. (2018, November

13). The activity of d-limonene from sweet orange peel (citrus sinensis l.) exctract as a

natural insecticide controller of bedbugs (cimex cimicidae). Oriental journal of

chemistry, 35(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/350424

Nieto, G., Ros, G., & Castillo, J. (2018, September 4). Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, L.): A Review. Medicines, 5(3), 98.

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5030098

Nordqvist, J. (2023, November 8). Everything you need to know about rosemary. Medical News

Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266370

Thorpe, M., & Ajmerha, R. (2023, June 13). Are pesticides in food harming your health?

Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pesticides-and-health

World Health Organization. (2020, March 2). Vector-borne diseases.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases

Yasin, K. & Marcin, A. (2023, February 8). 10 natural ingredients that repel mosquitoes.

Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/kinds-of-natural-mosquito-repellant

Yoo, C. (2022, June 1). 12 mosquito repellent plants. Garden Design.

https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html
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PEER EVALUATION FOR GROUP ACTIVITY

NAME OF GROUPMATES SCORE REMARKS

1. Maderazo, Bryce Jasem N. 8 Did not participate in

some activities/passed
them late.
2. Ocampo, Jemy Anne O. 8 Does not check
messages when asking
for revision.
3. Pabalan, Sofia Marielle G. 4 Barely participated.
4. Panes, Kirsten Lianne F. 10 Always Participated.
5. Quiambao, Loraine Maryjo L. 10 Always Participated.
6. Rabena, Ralph Jourielle C. 6 Did not participate in
some activities.