Chapter 1
Introduction
Exploring the Efficacy of Lemon Juice Formulations as a Natural Mosquito Repellents: A Promising
Approach for Dengue Prevention
Citric acid is a strong-smelling substance found in lemon juice that mosquitoes dislike. Lemon juice
also includes limonene, a naturally occurring molecule found in citrus fruits, which can conceal the odor
of the human body and make it more difficult for mosquitoes to identify and locate prospective bite
targets. Commercial insect repellents frequently contain limonene because of its insect-repelling
qualities.Lemon juice has trace levels of essential oils that are known to repel insects, like citronellal and
citronellol. These oils prevent mosquitoes from finding and feeding on humans. Non-toxic and Safe:
Lemon juice is a safe and non-toxic option for people seeking natural alternatives to chemical-based
repellents. Versatile Use: You can apply lemon juice directly to your skin by either squeezing fresh lemon
juice or diluting it with water. Additionally, it can be added to homemade lotions, sprays, and candles
that repel mosquitoes.(Andrade, 2020).But,further research is required to determine how long lemon
juice protects against mosquito bites. Mechanism of Action: It is unclear exactly how lemon juice repels
mosquitoes, but knowledge of how long the effects endure can help guide suggestions for reapplication
intervals. The chemical components in lemon juice that are repellent and how they interact with
mosquito sensory systems could be the subject of future research.
Despite centuries of control efforts, mosquito-borne diseases are flourishing worldwide. With a
disproportionate effect on children and adolescents, these conditions are responsible for substantial
global morbidity and mortality. Malaria kills more than 1 million children annually, chiefly in sub-Saharan
Africa.(P.Gabrieli, S Caccia, I Varotto-Boccazzi... - Frontiers in ..., 2021-frontiersin.org)
Dengue is endemic in the Philippines and poses a substantial economic burden in the country. In this
work, a compartmentalized model which includes healthcare-seeking class is developed. The
reproduction number is determined to investigate critical parameters influencing transmission. Partial
rank correlation coefficient (PRCC) technique is performed to address how the model output is affected
by changes in a specific parameter disregarding the uncertainty over the rest of the parameters. Results
show that mosquito biting rate, transmission probability from mosquito to human, respectively, from
human to mosquito, and fraction of individuals who seek healthcare at the onset of the disease, posted
high PRCC values. In order to obtain the values for the desired parameters, the reported dengue cases
by morbidity week in the Philippines for the year 2014 and 2015 are used. The reliability of parameters
is then verified via parametric bootstrap.(AA de los Reyes, JML Escaner IV - Journal of biological
dynamics, 2018-Taylor & Francis)
A self-constructed questionnaire that underwent validity and reliability test were utilized in gathering
data from 354 respondents from the three selected barangays of Valencia City selected through
purposive sampling.(Lourlyn Pagonzaga Mansaguiton, 2020)
The goal of lemon juice in mosquito repellent is to create a natural and effective barrier against
mosquitoes. Lemon juice contains citronella oil, which has been found to repel mosquitoes due to its
strong scent. When used in a repellent, lemon juice can help deter mosquitoes from landing on or biting
a person's skin, making it a popular ingredient in homemade and commercial insect repellents.
(Formplus, 2021).
Overall, mosquitoes have a multifaceted impact on society, highlighting the importance of
comprehensive mosquito control strategies, healthcare infrastructure, research, and public education to
mitigate the risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.Because of this existing condition,the
researcher conducted a study on how to address the problem in Grade 8 of Valencia National
Highschool.Additionally,this study aims to establish optimal intervals for sustained efficacy in dengue
prone-areas and to contribute to the development of sustainable and accessible strategies for dengue
prevention.(QuestionPro, n.d).
