The Insecticidal Property of Pulverized Mango (Magnifera indica linn) Leaves in Producing Mosquito Coil

Authors

  • Robelyn S. Beldia

Keywords:

alternative, non-hazardous, Eco-friendly

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, many people die because of different diseases which come from mosquitos such as Malaria, Chikungunya, Zika Virus, Yellow Fever, and Dengue Fever. All these diseases can cause death if not treated immediately. Dengue is a deadly disease that can be found throughout the Earths Tropical belt. It is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the Philippines, infecting thousands of people on a yearly basis. The present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal property of Mango ( Magnifera indica Linn) leaves, to produce an effective mosquito coil using the pulverized dried mango leaves and to determine if the component present is suitable as mosquito coil repellant. This is to provide an alternative to commercialize mosquito coil which is eco-friendly and non-hazardous.

METHODS

The researcher gathered all the materials needed that is present in the vicinity. The Mango leaves, grinded candle, potato starch, and water. The dried leaves were pounded and powdered using the mortar and pestle. The pulverized dried mango leaves was mixed together with the heated mixture of grinded candle, starch, and water. After mixing the materials, the entire mixture was made thick and was cooled down. The appeased mixture was poured out into the mosquitocoil molder and was placed in the oven for five minutes. The coil was removed from the molder and cooled for at least 2-3minutes.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the effect of using pulverized mango leaves in killing mosquitos. The researcher made three trials fortesting whereas in Trial 1 mixture containing 100 grams of pulverized mango leaves killed 5 mosquitos in 30 seconds. In Trial 2 mixtures of 150 grams pulverized mango leaves killed 8 mosquitos in 20 seconds. While the mixture having 200 grams of pulverized mango leaves killed 13 mosquitos in just 10 seconds. Therefore, the researcher concluded that the effectiveness of the mosquito coil depends on the amount of the pulverized mango leaves applied in every mixture.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of the comparability test proved that the mosquito coil made of pulverized mango leaves were comparable to other commercial mosquito coils. Therefore, it can be used as an effective yet inexpensive and eco-friendly mosquito coil repellant in the market. The community should be encouraged to use the Mosquito coil made from Mango leaves. The product is advised to be tested by Department of Health, and Department of Science and Technology. Other potent sources may be used to produce mosquito coil product.

Published

2019-01-18