Ampalaya Repellent
Ampalaya Repellent
Ampalaya Repellent
rusticobaydo
3 years ago
Zarraga, Iloilo
In Partial Fulfillment
Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Mosquitoes have been a problem for people all over the world. They have evolved many tricks over
thousands of years to make them very good at what they do. These tricks include specialized
mouthparts for blood feeding, incredible sensory perception, and most amazingly, the development
from an aquatic life stage through to an airborne home. (Enriquez FJ, 1994)
Mosquitoes’ role in spreading disease was first understood around the turn of the 20th century. In 1898,
British physician Sir Ronald Ross, then working in Calcutta, proved that mosquitoes were transmitting
malaria. (Wanasen N. 2004)
Most of the mosquito-borne diseases are now endemic to South and Central America, parts of Asia and
Africa. Some of the encephalitis viruses, like West Nile, Japanese encephalitis and Western and Eastern
equine encephalitis, do cause infections in the United States, Japan and Europe.
Mosquitoes can have both positive and negative impacts on the ecosystem. As part of their useful role,
the larvae of mosquitoes live in water and provide food for fish and other wildlife, including larger larvae
of other species such as dragonflies. The larvae themselves eat microscopic organic matter in the water,
helping to recycle it. Adult mosquitoes make up part of the diet of some insect-eating animals, such as
birds, bats, adult dragonflies and spiders. They also help pollinate some flowers, when they consume
nectar.
But mosquitoes also have a damaging role, harming other animals by being a vector for diseases, such as
malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and dengue. The mosquitoes don’t cause the diseases themselves, but
only act as carriers. They need to feed on a person or animal that is already infected, and then when
they bite a healthy person or animal afterwards, they pass on the disease (James AA, 1994).
In places where a particular disease is not already present, there’s no risk of catching it from mosquitoes,
but ecologists worry, because if infected humans or animals do come into the area, the mosquitoes that
already live there will spread the disease among the rest of the healthy population.
Eradication or reduction of disease-carrying mosquitoes can help prevent the spread of different
diseases particularly dengue, hence, pesticide spraying and fumigation have been practiced. However,
environmental and health hazard issues that arise from the use of these methods are well documented
(US EPA 2012).
For instance, in Brazil, the use of a larvicide (organophosphate temephos) although very slightly toxic,
has been observed to cause headaches, memory loss, and irritability (Cavalcanti et al. 2004).
The use of natural products poses an alternative method of control and/or eradication of disease-
carrying mosquitoes. It has been customarily considered to be one of the safest ways of controlling pests
(Cavalcanti et al. 2004, Pitasawat et al. 2007).
To find effective and affordable ways to control the mosquito and prevent the spread of dengue,
several plantshave been tested(Cavalcanti et al. 2004, Pitasawat et al. 2007).
A recent study of Obico and Ragrario (2014), presented 54 species of plants used as repellents against
hematophagous insects by the Ayta people of Porac, Pampanga. Their study provided a baseline for
phytochemical screening for insect -repellent compounds which the present researchers considered.
Furthemore, Obico and Ragrario (2014) revealed that most of the plant parts used are the leaves and
stems, which are dried and then burned since smoke is said to drive away the insects.
Hence, the present study engaged on candle made with an additive of Ampalaya leaf as mosquito
repellent.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to determine the effectivity of the candle made with an additive of
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract to repel mosquitoes (Culicidae).
What is the percentage of repelled Mosquito (Culicidae) in a set-up with a lighted candle made with an
additive of Ampalaya(Momordica charantia) leaf extract, lighted ordinary white candle, and lighted
commercial mosquito coil?Is there a significant difference in the percentage of repelled Mosquito in a
set-up with a lighted candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract,
ordinary white candle and commercial mosquito coil as mosquito repellents?
Hypothesis
Based on the objectives, the hypothesis that there was no significant difference in the percentage of
repelled Mosquito (Culicidae) using Candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)
leaf extract when compared to ordinary white candle and a commercial mosquito coil as mosquito
repellent, was advanced.
With this study, people who may benefits are the future researchers, manufacturers and the whole
community in general
People who suffer from the dengue that caused by the Mosquitoes, may found an abundant supply of
repellant for the mosquitoes that can be seen commonly just in their backyard.
Future researchers may take this as their take off for the further investigation regarding
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract made candle as Mosquito killer or repellent.
Manufacturers could make this effective product that could be available in the market and would again
earn money from it.
Generally, people may use this as alternative Mosquito repellent or killer as substitute to commercial
product.
This study is only limited in determining the effectiveness of the candle made with additive of Ampalaya
(Momordica charantia) leaf extract as Mosquito repellent. There were three set-ups replicated three
times with 25 Mosquito each set-ups per trial. Set-up A or Cage A was treated with a lighted candle
made with additive of Ampalaya(Momordica charantia) leaf extract while Set-up B or Cage B was treated
with an ordinary white candle and Set-up C or Cage C was treated with a commercial mosquito coil.
Independent Variable
The independent variables are the candle made with additive of Ampalaya(Momordica charantia) leaf
extract, ordinary white candle and commercial mosquito coil and the dependent variable was the rate of
repelled Mosquito (shown in Figure 1).
Dependent Variable
In this study, it refers to the extracted Ampalaya(Momordica charantia)leaf used as an additive in candle
to repel mosquito (Culicidae)
Mosquito.A small flying insect of the family of a Culicidae, known for biting and sucking blood.
Leaf.Any of flat, thin parts, green growing from the stem of the plant.
In this study, it refers to the part of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) plant that will be extracted to be
used in making an Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Candle.
Extract. A decoction, a solution, or infusion made by drawing out from any substance that which gives its
essential essence.
Mosquito net offers protection against mosquito, flies, and other insects, and thus against the diseases
they may carry.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Mosquito Repellents
Mosquitoes are a serious threat to public health transmitting several dangerous diseases for over two
billion people in the tropics. There has been a large increase in the insecticide resistance of this vector
and has become a global problem. Insecticides residues in the environment, as a result of chemical
insecticide usage, have turned the researcher’s attention towards natural products (Murty and Jamil,
1987).
In the past years, the plant kingdom has been of great interest as a potential source of insecticidal
products. Many species in the plant kingdom synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites which play a
vital role in defense of plants against insects/mosquitoes. Plants may be alternative source for mosquito
repellent agents since they constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals (Wink, 1993).
Plant products can be used, either as an insecticide for killing larvae or adult mosquitoes or as repellents
for protection against mosquito bites, depending on the type of activity they posses (ICMR, 2003).
Products of secondary plant metabolisms may be responsible for the chemical communication between
plants and insects. Allelochemicals have been considered as potential natural insecticides and can be
used for insect/mosquito management in integrated control (Jilani and Su, 1983).
Phytochemicals obtained from plants are usually less environmentally harmful than synthetic chemicals
and it has renewed the interest in the research on phytocompounds, considering them as an ecologically
safe alternative for synthetic insecticides (Isman, 2006). A review of botanical phytochemicals with
mosquitocidal potential published by Shaalan et al. (2005) demonstrates identification of novel effective
mosquitocidal compounds from botanicals containing active phytochemicals.
Repellents have an important part in protecting man from the bites of insect pests. An effective repellent
will be useful in reducing man vector contact and in the interruption of disease transmission. Mosquito
repellents may be one of the most effective tools for protecting human from vector-borne diseases and
nuisance caused by mosquitoes (Curtis et al., 1990; Barnard, 2000).
Repellent compounds should be non toxic, non-irritating and long lasting (Kalyana- sundaram and Babu,
1982). Repellents are substances that act locally or at a distance, deterring an arthropod
(insect/mosquito) from flying to, landing on or biting human or animal skin (Blackwell et al., 2003;
Choochote et al., 2007). Usually, insect repellents work by providing a vapor barrier deterring the
arthropod (insect/mosquito) from coming into contact with the surface (Brown and Hebert, 1997) and
sometimes, applied on to the skin for protection. Repellents of plant origin do not pose hazards of
toxicity to humans and domestic animals and are easily biodegradable. Natural products are safe for
humans when compared to that of synthetic compounds (Sharma et al., 1993; Ansari and Razdan, 1996).
Repellents are used as personal protection methods against biting arthropods with a major aim of
avoiding nuisance (Trigg and Hill, 1996). Repellents properly utilized are an inexpensive means of
reducing or preventing arthropod-borne diseases and biting nuisance while acting as a wide range of
vectors (Gupta and Rutledge, 1994).
Smoke is still, the most widely used common method of repelling biting insects that is used throughout
the world. Fresh and dried plants are frequently added to fires to enhance the repellent properties of
the smoke (Roemantyo, 1990). Several field evaluations, where plants were burned to repel mosquitoes,
have shown good reduction in mosquito landings (Palsson and Jaenson, 1999a,b). Most households in
the developing world rely on personal protection measures of limited effectiveness, such as burning
mosquito coils or leaves (Hanson et al., 2003).
Mosquito coils were traditionally made with finely ground Chrysanthemum cinrariaefolium flowers
mixed with coconut husks or sawdust (Chadwick, 1985) and also neem kernels and leaves are burned to
repel mosquitoes along with mosquito coils (Konradsen et al., 1997). Plants of terrestrial origin have also
been reported to be a source of mosquito repellents (Hwang et al., 1985;Thangam and Kathiresan,
1992).
Pandian et al. (1989) observed the repellent activity of herbal smoke on the biting activity
of Culexquinquefasciatus. Thangam and Kathiresan (1992) stated that smoke from burning various dry
materials has been used since early times to deter insects especially mosquitoes.
Hwang et al. (1985) observed that the bundles of dried Artemisia vulgaris were burned to repel biting
insects since it contains insect repellents that can be released from the plant by combustion. The smoke
of the leaves of Vitexnegundo and Leucasaspera were found more toxic to the filarial vector
mosquito, Culexquinquefasciatus than the synthetic mosquito mats which contain 4% d-allethrin
(Pandian et al., 1994).
The repellent activity of plants might be due to the presence of certain chemicals that are able to irritate
the olfactory senses of the mosquitoes. These chemicals can be grouped into three major categories viz.,
alkaloids, phenolics and terpenoids.
Alkaloids are basically insecticidal at low concentration; nevertheless they can be used as repellence.
They are non volatile and release insecticidal smoke when the plant materials or the mosquito coil
containing the active ingredients are burnt. They repel the mosquitoes through direct toxicity (Sears,
1996).
Mosquito repellent chemicals present in the plant contain phytochemicals like, methone, limonene, beta
pinene, alpha pinene and linaliol (Eun, 2001). Burning wood and adding repellent plants to it probably
works in several ways. First, the smoke may disguise human kairomones and disrupts convention
currents essential in mosquito host location. Secondly, burning may, release repellent irritant molecules
and the molecules released by the plants also may be insecticidal (Charlwood and Jolley, 1984).
Therefore, the use of plants in mosquito control is an alternative pest control method for minimizing the
noxious effects of some pesticides compounds on the environment (Fatope et al., 1993). Botanicals have
widespread insecticidal properties and will obviously work as a new weapon, and in future may act as
suitable alternative product to fight against vector mosquitoes (Ghosh, 2012).
It may be concluded that natural products from plants of insecticidal and medicinal values have higher
efficiency in reducing mosquito menace due to their repellent toxicity.
The study done by Obico and Ragrario (2014) cited Ampalaya (Momordica charantia L.) as one of the
indigenous plants used by Ayta people of Pampanga to repel mosquitoes. The plant part that was
primarily used is a combination of stems and leaves specifically dried and fallen ones. This mode is
relatively more sustainable than gathering the whole plant (including the roots) since the plants can
grow new stems and leaves. The use of leaves and stems could imply that compounds with repellent
activity are more concentrated in these parts. The secondary metabolites of plants are usually found
in the leaves and stem since these chemicals function to deter herbivores.
A phytochemical study in 1898 yielded alkaloids, glycosides, aglycone, tannin, sterol, phenol and protein
as the prominent phytocompound found in Ampalaya(Momordica charantia). The leaves and fruits
yielded a bitter principle, momordicin. A petroleum ether extractive yielded highly aromatic ethereal oil,
a fixed oil, traces of free fatty acids and carotene. Ethyl ether fraction yielded chlorophyll, a glucoside-like
substance and resin. Water soluble extractive yielded a saponin-like substance and mucilaginous bodies.
In this study, the above research made a strong support that indeed Alkaloids is present in
Ampalaya(Momordica charantia) leaf, the chemical content which is responsible in repelling a Mosquito.
Candle Wax
Candle making has been a part of our daily lives for thousands of years. Most people have grown up with
candles around them – as decoration and as emergency lighting when the power goes out.
A Candle is a light source consisting of a wick embedded in a solid, flammable substance. (Wikipedia
Dictionary)
According to David Fisher, there are several types of wax readily available for making candles today.
Some natural, some synthetic, some a little bit of both, and each has its own particular qualities. Paraffin
wax is one of the most versatile and most common waxes used today. It comes in many different melt
points, appropriate for many different applications, from votives to pillars to containers.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of the crude oil refinement process, in its raw form, it a white, odorless,
tasteless, “waxy “solid with a typical melting point between 110 oF to 150 oF, and while it’s very inert, it
burns really well.
According to National Candle Association (NCA), all waxes are primarily hydrocarbons, whether of
animal, vegetable or petroleum origin. The chemical composition of all candle making waxes is similar,
and all candle waxes burn in the same manner.
Furthermore the (NCA) emphasized that no specific type of wax or wax blend is considered “best” for
candle making. All waxes – when provided in high-quality format – have been shown to burn cleanly, and
safely. And no candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health.
Hence, the researchers decided to use paraffin wax mixed with Ampalaya leaf extract as mosquito
candle-repellen
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of candle made with an additive of Ampalaya
(Momordica charantia) leaf extract as a mosquito repellent.
The study was laid out in a Posttest Only Control Group Design shown in Figure 2. The experimental
group was exposed to an intervention, the candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica
charantia) leaf extract and the control group was composed of commercial mosquito coil repellent and
ordinary white candle.
Percentage of
Repelled
(1Hour)
X1 O1
Repellent
Figure 2. The set-up of the study with treatments Experimental Procedure
A 1 kg Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaves was collected from a plantation at Balabag, Dumangas,
Iloilo.It was gently washed with running water to be freed from dust and contaminant, and was air dried
for an hour. The leaves were cut into pieces and grind using an electric juicer to produce an extract.
Then, the extract was strained using a cheese cloth making 150 mL extract and set aside for the candle
making.
Candle Making
A one plate (300 grams) paraffin wax bought from a market was cut into small pieces. Then, it was
placed in casserole set in a low fire to melt. When the wax was totally melted, the 150 mL Ampalaya leaf
extract was mixed to the wax with constant stirring until the mixture had evenly distributed. After 5
minutes, the mixture was transferred to the glass molder with a wick and let it cool down.
The mosquitoes were caught gently using a fine net and transferred immediately to a 3 hanged double
size mosquito net(commonly used by human)put inside the two classrooms. The two set ups which used
candle as mosquito repellents (with extract and ordinary candle) were placed in one room farther apart
while the other set-up which used a commercial mosquito coil repellent was placed in the other room.
After the three set-ups were ready with 25 mosquitoes each, a plant was placed inside the net as a bait
to attract the mosquitoes to stay on it. It was observed that mosquitoes were attracted and stayed on
the plant.
Treatment of Candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract to the
Mosquitoes
The mosquitoes were separated into three set-ups with 25 mosquitoes each. Set-up A was treated made
with a candle made with an additive of Ampalaya(Momordica Charantia) leaf extract, Set-up B was
treated with ordinary white candle, and set-up C was treated with commercial Mosquito coil repellent
(Baygon katol). The treatment in every set-up was placed near the plant inside the net where the
mosquitoes stayed. The movement of Mosquito was observed; the number of repelled mosquito was
confirmed and recorded after an hour of treatment-application and observation.
Procedural Design
Preparation of Treatment
Set-up A
Set-up C
Set-up B
Application
Observing and recording of data, for Trial 1 after 1 hour, repeat the procedure for Trial 2 after 1 week and
for Trial 3 after another wee
Materials Needed
Cheese Cloth. Is a loss woven gauze like cotton used in making and cooking. (Encarta Dictionary, 2003)
Gloves. This a material used for covering a whole hand. (Encarta Dictionary, 2003)
Mask. This is an object normally worn out on face typically for protection. (Encarta Dictionary, 2003)
Scissors. Cutting implement with handles are pair of blade pivoted face by face. (Encarta Dictionary,
2003)
Mosquito. A small flying insects of the family of a Culicidae, known for biting and sucking blood (Encarta
Dictionary, 2003)
Mosquito net offers protection against mosquito, flies, and other insects, and thus against the diseases
they may carry. (Encarta Dictionary, 2003)
The mean and standard deviation were used for the descriptive analysis of the study. The obtained mean
percentage was used to determine the effectivity level of each treatment used in repelling mosquitoes
wherein the standard deviation was used to determine the dispersion of the mean.
The effectivity level was interpreted through the mean percentage of repelled mosquito using the scale
shown in Table 1
For the inferential analysis of the study, the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to
determine the significance existing among the treatments of variables, comparing it to the test value of
alpha = 0.05.
Table 1.
ScaleDescription80.21 – 100.00
60.41 – 80.20
40.61 – 60.40
20.81 – 40.60
1.00 – 20.80
Very High
High
Average
Low
Very Low
CHAPTER IV
This chapter presents the corresponding results and analysis of the study. It is divided into two parts (1)
Discussions and (2) Results (summarized in a table).
Descriptive Data Analysis
Table 2 shows the phytochemical screening of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf constituents which
yielded alkaloids as abundant, saponin and tannins as moderate and absence of flavonoids.
Table 2
Phytochemical Screening of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) Leaf Extract.
Test
RESULT123SAPONIN++++++TANNINS++++++FLAVONOIDS–––ALKALOIDS+++++++++
LEGEND:
Abundant: +++
Moderate: ++
Present: +
Absent: –
Table 3 shows the percentage of repelled mosquitoes of candles and commercial mosquito coil as
mosquito repellents in three trials. In set-up A (Candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica
charantia)Leaf Extract, the percentage of repelled mosquitoes were 60%, 64%, and 76% which were
higher than percentage of repelled mosquitoes in set-up B (Ordinary White candle) having 20% for Trial
1, 20% for Trial 2, 24% for Trial 3; but lesser than the percentage of repelled mosquitoes in Set-up C
(commercial mosquito coil repellent) having 100% of repelled mosquitoes in all three trials.
Table 3.
60%
64%
76%
Set-up B
(Ordinary White Candle)
20%
20%
24%
Set-up C
100%
100%
100%
In Table 4, the mean percentage of the repelled mosquitoes of three set-ups is shown as determinant of
the effectivity level of each treatment to repel mosquito. The 66.67% mean percentage of repelled
mosquito of Set-up A shows a high effectivity level to repel mosquito while a low effectivity level is
reflected by the mean of 21.33% for Set-up B and very high effectivity level to repel mosquito is shown
by Set-up C for the mean of 100%.
Table 4
Set-upsMeanDescriptionSet-up A
66.67
High
Set-up B
21.33
Low
Set-up C
Very High
Scale Description
Inferential Analysis
Table 5 shows the test difference in the percentage of repelled mosquitoes using ANOVA. The result
shows that there is a significant difference in the percentage of repelled mosquitoes among treatments,
the candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract, ordinary white candle
and a commercial mosquito coil as mosquito repellents.
Table 5
Chapter V
Summary, Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations
Summary
This experimental study aimed to determine if a candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica
charantia) leaf extract is effective to repel Mosquito in a specific area and to further compare its
repelling ability with an ordinary white candle and commercial mosquito repellent. The researchers
prepared 3 set-ups with 25 mosquitoes each, replicated three times using different set of mosquito per
trial. Each received different solutions as follows: Candle made with an additive of Ampalaya
(Momordica charantia) leaf extract, ordinary white candle and commercial mosquito repellent. The null
hypothesis of the study was treated using paired ANOVA Tukey Test generated through an SPSS Software.
In general, the result of the study shows that a candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica
charantia) leaf extract can repel mosquito but not as effective as commercial mosquito coil repellent.
Findings
The candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract has high effectivity
level of repelling Mosquitoes (Culicidae).The ordinary white candle has low effectivity level of repelling
mosquitoes.The commercial Mosquito Coil has very high effectivity level of repelling Mosquito.There was
a significant difference among the mean percentage of repelled Mosquito in a set-up with a lighted
candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica Charantia) leaf extract, ordinary white candle
and commercial mosquito coil as mosquito repellents.
Conclusions
In the view of findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
The percentage of repelled Mosquito (Culicidae)in set-up A with a lighted candle made with an additive
of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract is high while the percentage of repelled mosquito inset-
up B with a lighted ordinary white candle is low and the percentage of repelled Mosquito in set-up C
with a lighted commercial mosquito coil is very high.
It shows that commercial product candle is more effective compared the candle made with an additive
of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaf extract or ordinary candle.
However, candle could still be used as an alternative repellent agent of mosquito since the findings
revealed its ability to repel mosquitoes even in a low level.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are hereby presented:
Candle made with an additive of Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)leaf extract can be a repellent agent of
mosquito in case of brown out.To future researchers, to continue the study on Ampalaya additive of
(Momordica charantia) leaf extract or other parts of Ampalaya into another form of repellent agent of
mosquito aside from making it into a candle since Ampalaya has an ability to repel mosquito.Since
Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) is available in our surroundings, the researchers recommend the use of
Ampalaya(Momordica charantia) by burning its dried leaves or vine as smoke-fogging to repel
mosquitoes, or directly apply its extract on skin not only because it is safe to use but it could also save
money in buying those pricey chemicals.