Reflexion on Bio-Sourced Mosquito Repellents: Nature, Activity, and Preparation

Abstract

Over the last decades, the geographical distribution of certain mosquito species carrying vector-borne diseases has considerably expanded. They represent a major health concern as they transmit pathogens causing alarming epidemics. In the absence of vaccines for most of the mosquito-borne diseases, the use of topical mosquito repellents is one of the main measures to prevent human-mosquito contacts. Synthetic repellents are the most used mosquito repellents. However, several concerns about their safety for consumers have led to a growing demand of natural alternatives. Here we present an overview of the most commonly used natural-based mosquito repellents: repellent activity, biological action, composition, stereochemical structure (when appropriate) and syntheses, paradoxically far from being eco-friendly. We discuss on future prospective that would combine sustainable chemical processes and synergistic effects promising for the development of natural, safe and efficient topical repellents.

Evaluation of a push-and-pull strategy using volatiles of host and non-host plants for the management of pear psyllids in organic farming

“…In particular, significant antennal signals were triggered by cis-3-hexenyl acetate perceived by the Prunus dwelling psyllid C. pruni (Gallinger et al, 2020). Essential oils have demonstrated effectiveness in repelling various insect species, with notable success in combating bloodfeeding pests that pose a threat to humans, such as mosquitoes (Sukumar et al, 1991;Carroll and Loye, 2006;Grison et al, 2020;Chatterjee et al, 2023). Additionally, essential oils have proven to be efficient in safeguarding stored-product crops (Karabörklü and Ayvaz, 2023).…”

Repellent Screening of Selected Plant Essential Oils Against Dengue Fever Mosquitoes Using Behavior Bioassays

“…2014 ), the insensitivity/acquired resistance of some vectors (Stanczyk et al 2010 , 2013 ) have greatly influenced customer acceptance; and greater interest in natural, eco-friendly plant-based repellents have been studies in the world. The latter include para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), a natural and safe topical repellent alternative to DEET (Grison et al 2020 ).…”

Mosquito repellent microcapsules of nepeta essential oil were prepared by electro‐atomization complex coacervation

“…The expanding distribution of mosquitoes worldwide has led to the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases, posing a challenge to human health. 1 In the absence of vaccines against mosquitoborne diseases, mosquito repellents are effective in preventing mosquito bites. Traditional chemosynthetic mosquito repellents can achieve good repellent effect at the initial stage of use, but these mosquito repellents have disadvantages such as single mechanism of action, short action time and other problems, which lead to the decline of their mosquito repellent effect.…”

“…The expanding distribution of mosquitoes worldwide has led to the prevalence of mosquito‐borne diseases, posing a challenge to human health 1 . In the absence of vaccines against mosquito‐borne diseases, mosquito repellents are effective in preventing mosquito bites.…”