Mosquito repellents are an everyday weapon for keeping these stingers at bay, but they are frustratingly fickle. Developed.
Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, they are one of the most dangerous disease vectors in the world. Reached by the military and barbecue enthusiasts alike, the go-to repellent contains DEET, an active ingredient first developed in the 1940s that enhances the ability of mosquitoes and other biting insects to sniff out and eat humans. will block.
However, there is a problem with that. Many people, like mozzie, find it smells unpleasant and must be applied every few hours to be effective. there is.
Alternatives are being sought, and researchers at the University of Pisa and the University of Florence are currently developing several promising new formulations. We tested its chemical properties and of course how well it repels mosquitoes.
Some compounds were found to be as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes, while others fared much better, preventing over 95% of bites for over 8 hours. . On the other hand, the effect of DEET only started to decline for him in 2 hours.
The alternative had other advantages as well. They all had a much more faint odor, and some even smelled very pleasant. They all had similar or lower toxicity than DEET, and some were less likely to elicit an immune response.
Whether or not these specific compounds will be developed into commercial products, the team says the research opens up a new class of potential mosquito repellents.
This research Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Source: American Chemical Society
