SCIENCE INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Research Proposal by Groups 5 & 6
Homemade Organic Insecticide with the Use of Lemongrass Oil
Maddela, Miguel
Mariano, Mark
Cadag, Bethany
Castro, Christine
Lazo, Justine Ruth
Manabat, Christine
Soguilon, Lara
Tan, Iris
10-Matapat
2015-2016
St. Mary's College, Quezon City
Author Note
This paper was prepared for Science 10, 10 – Matapat, taught by Mr. Jayson Sindayen
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background
Introduction
Nowadays, insecticide are not only expensive but also contains harmful chemicals which is linked to cancerous cellular activity. Children who have been heavily exposed with toxic insecticide were indicating losses in cell-mediated immunity. With the innovation of technology, farmers and householders invented multiple remedies for eradicating insect infestations from their garden plants. Toxic sprays might eliminate garden pests, but they are harmful to you and the environment which leads towards this study in finding a cheap alternative for organic and natural insecticide using ingredients found at home. This study was also conducted to be more resourceful and to create an effective insecticide without harming the health of individuals and destroying garden plants.
Statement of The Problem/ Objective
To propose an alternative insecticide for consumers
To test and discover its quality of eliminating all kinds of insects like cockroaches, spiders, bed bugs etc.
Will this product be as effective and safer to use rather than common insecticides?
Aims to produce insecticide out of lemongrass oil
Significance of the Study
This study was conducted for the beneficial effects of every community. This organic homemade insecticide is non-toxic to humans and pets and safe for the environment since it's based on natural ingredients and contains the simplest chemicals. This study can raise the knowledge and awareness of its audience regarding the impacts of insects in the ecosystem including evolving mosquitoes with its increasing number of cases of dengue, malaria and the most recent Zika virus. This will be beneficial to green thumbs, nature lovers, promote safety, awareness and helping the environment. By understanding this study, this will be of great help to with good sanitation practices and proper cultural care.
This will serve as future references to practitioners, and future researchers regarding improving repellants and future products. The World Health Organization (WHO) will benefit, because of the useful information and product that can be used for further research. The World Health Organization is an organization that handles global medical problems; preventing and discovering new things about health. The Department of Health (DOH) is a Filipino government agency that concerns the health statistics and status of the Filipinos. It supports the needs of Filipinos in medicinal supplies and gives free services from the government. Furthermore, DOH will also benefit through the use of increasing the productivity of people's needs and to achieve and improve on every person's health status, services for health care and as much as possible, avoiding hazardous chemicals to an individual's health. Using a non-toxic, and insect-repelling which is easier to use on children and very effective. Hopefully, a lot of future studies can follow.
Scope and Limitations
Considering how limited resources can be, the group has moved to alternative ingredients. Due to having difficulties in finding test subjects, not all kinds of insects will be tried and tested.
Researchers used the following ingredients that are not commonly seen to a regular household such as the following:
Lemongrass
Lemongrass Oil
Eucalyptus Oil
This is not usually seen in a household. To get these ingredients, it must be bought in a market and prices may vary in different stores. You might as well plant your own lemongrass in your garden and have it for free. This product is for alternative use only.
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
The review of literature for this study focuses on the benefits of using homemade organic insecticide and its effects. Homemade organic insecticide using lemongrass oil, with its pleasing aroma and overall effectiveness, lemongrass oil has become one of the most popular of all natural insect repellents. Lemongrass oil, which is closely related to citronella, repels a greater variety of pests than most natural "one-scented" oil mixtures. This review focuses on the benefits and factors of lemongrass, non-toxic, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, citral, geraniol, myrcene and limonene. The following terms are discussed further with its relation in our study:
2.1 Hypothesis
This product of ours may face limitations of killing larger insects. The aftereffects of spraying our products to cockroaches and spider may just make them dizzy and fainted for a while but there's no assurance of instantly killing them. The ingredients used are limited, it is not as strong as with the insecticides from the markets. Ours does not contain any harmful chemicals compared to others which can eliminate insects but are toxic. We can say that the other products can kill many insects but in our experiment, we tried to have an insecticide that is less in chemicals because one our main objectives is to have an insecticide which is safer to humans and environment. The sprays might eliminate the pesky culprits, but they are harmful to you and the environment. This insecticide that is more convenient to ordinary people, for us to be more resourceful in thinking and making different ways to kill or prevent our health from different insects that we can find in our houses.
2.2 Conceptual Framework
One of the variables presented is the type of insecticide, "Homemade Organic Insecticide with the Use of Lemongrass" we will use towards this experimentation because we want to create an homemade alternative insecticide that works as good as commercially sold repellents through processes that will not harm the environment and consumer's health. Another variable is the type of insect. It is one of the variables because there, if you are affected of it you can know what things you should do to prevail them like what we did, we did a test on where the insecticide works effectively. The variables that we will use are related to our study because we can determine which insecticide is more effective. We can also determine which insects are killed by the insecticides.
TYPE OF INSECTICIDE
TYPE OF INSECTS
Homemade Organic Insecticide w/ the Use
of Lemongrass
Colony of ants, Aphids, Cockroaches, Moths, Bed bugs, Mosquitos, Flies
Baygon Insect Killer
Cockroaches, spiders, ants, fleas, beetles, silverfish, bedbugs and other crawling insects
2.3 Definition of Terms
2.3.1 LEMONGRASS
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon) is a genus of about 55 related grass species or varieties. The lemon grass plant or the oil extracted from it are used in cooking, aromatherapy, medicinal preparations, teas and cosmetics. It also has insecticidal properties and the extracted oil is used in insect repellents and insecticidal sprays. The same chemical compounds are found in all lemon grass varieties, but the amounts may differ. Its extracted oil will help repel mosquitoes. Lemon grass has long been used in natural insect repellents which contain citronella oil and help deter mosquitoes with its strong fragrance. Lemon grass also has anti-larval activity. A 2004 study in Brazil published by Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, an international journal of biological and biomedical research, showed that the essential oil of lemon grass could kill the larvae of the mosquito that causes dengue fever.
2.3.2 NON TOXIC
Claim, implies that a product, substance, or chemical will not cause adverse health effects, either immediately or over the long-term, chemicals that are generally safer for humans and the environment. While most manufacturers' assessments of toxicity only take acute impacts into consideration, we also assess chronic impacts, exposure routes, unique windows of vulnerability, and a wide spectrum of potential health impacts including carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, allergenicity, neurotoxicity, and more.
2.3.3 LEMONGRASS OIL
Lemongrass oil is non-toxic. The historical long-time and widespread use of lemon grass oil all over the world also speaks to its safety. As a natural insecticide, lemon grass and its oil are not associated with some of the toxic or harmful side effects of other insecticides. The oil of lemon grass is extracted from fresh or dried lemon grass by steam distillation or simply by pouring boiling water over the foliage. The composition of lemon grass oil depends partly on geographical region or where it is grown. Major constituents of lemon grass oil are citral, geraniol, myrcene, citronellal and limonene.
2.3.4 EUCALYPTUS OIL
Sny of numerous often tall trees belonging to the genus Eucalyptus, of the myrtle family having aromatic evergreen leaves that are the source of medicinal oils and having the odor or flavor of the plant from which it comes; used in perfume and flavorings
2.3.5 CITRONELLA OIL
Citronella oil, which repels mosquitoes, contains large amounts of citral. Citral gives lemon grass oil its lemony fragrance. Citronella oil and other lemon grass oil extracts are used in sprays and topical applications. Studies with birds and starved mosquitoes, using topical applications of lemon grass oil in the form of cream or liquid paraffin solution, was effective protection against the hungry mosquitoes, comparable to commercial mosquito repellents, according to a 2002 report in the journal Phytomedicine. Citronella oil, a common mosquito repellent, is extracted from citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus).
2.3.6 CITRAL
A mobile pale-yellow liquid, C9H15COH, derived from lemon-grass oil and used in perfume and as a flavoring.
2.3.7 GERANIOL
A constituent of lemon grass oil, was able to kill helminths, which are intestinal worms.
2.3.8 MYRCENE
A liquid acyclic terpene hydrocarbon C10H16 that is important in perfumery.
2.3.9 LIMONENE
A liquid terpenoid, C10H16, with a characteristic lemonlike fragrance, used as a solvent, wetting agent, and dispersing agent
Chapter 3: Methodology
Materials/ Equipment
3.1.1 Lemongrass oil
3.1.2 Rubbing alcohol or distilled water
3.1.3 Rosemary or eucalyptus oil
3.1.4 Liquid hand soap
3.1.5 Lemongrass plants
3.1.6 Spray bottle
3.1.7 Stirring rod
3.1.8 Bowl
3.2 General Procedure
3.2.1 Purchase pure lemongrass oil to use as a pure, natural and safe insect repellent.
3.2.2 Put the chopped lemon grass in a boiling water to release its essence for 30 minutes.
3.2.3 Pour 1 ½ cup of lemongrass oil and ½ cup of rosemary oil in a container. ¼ cup of liquid hand soap, ½ cup of distilled water and 1/8 cup of alcohol in a separate container.
3.2.4Dilute the lemon grass oil and rosemary oil in rubbing alcohol or distilled water.
3.2.5 Pour the mixtures into one container for easy applications.
3.2.5.1 Note that concentrated lemongrass oil may cause skin irritation if not diluted, so test your formula on a small patch of skin before spraying all over your body.
3.2.6 Mix lemongrass oil with other types of natural oils such as eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil to create an even stronger insect repellent.
3.2.6.1 Lemongrass oil can be mixed with eucalyptus oil for an insect repellent than can protect you for 5 to 6 hours per application.
3.2.7 Rosemary oil, which can be extracted from the common rosemary plant, can be combined with
lemongrass oil for a more aromatic formula than will repel an even greater variety of insects.
3.2.8 Add a few drops of lemongrass oil to liquid hand soap until its scent starts to dominate the scents of the product.
3.2.9 Mix them all together and put the mixture inside the spray bottle.
Chapter 4: Results and Findings
4.1 Results
KIND
INSECT
SCENT
TIME INSECTS WENT UNCONSCIOUS
TIME UNTIL INSECTS WERE EXTERMINATED
WITHOLDING PRICE
BAYGON
INSECT KILLER
Ants
-contains hazardous chemicals which is bad for the respiratory system
-cause severe problems in crops, livestock, waterways, environment
2
5
P106
(500 mL)
Cockroaches
8
12
Bedbugs
4
6
Mosquitos
5
8
Flies
6
9
HOMEMADE
ORGANIC
INSECTICIDE
Ants
-Lemony, fragrant scent
-Safe for the respiratory system because of its non-toxic chemicals, organic ingredients and can be inhaled
4
6
P168.75
(300 mL)
Cockroaches
10
13
Bedbugs
5
7
Mosquitos
6
8
Flies
6
8
4.2 Findings
We had successfully aims to produce pesticide out of lemongrass which is resourceful and easy to attain when planned to plant in a garden. And is very useful to many people and also to have as another alternatives of insecticide. Based on our results, seconds varies from the two different variables. The Baygon insect killer was able to kill or exterminate the insects within a short span of time ranging from 2 to 12 seconds while our homemade organic insecticide kill insects, not in a very long time and ranges from 4 to 13 seconds. Both variables can kill but in terms of time, Baygon insect killer is less was consumed compared to our experiment. In the scent, it was obvious that Baygon insect killer could kill insect in just an instant second but it releases poisonous hazards and people may risk their health by poisoning through excessive exposure depending on dose, toxicity, duration of exposure and sensitivity. We were able to produce an insecticide which can kill insects of higher forms inside a household. Our homemade organic insecticide was fragrant, lemony essence and assure that it's breathable within human respiratory system. The withholding price of our product can remain constant and free if the consumer had decided to plants his/her own rosemary plants and lemongrass. Baygon insect killer can increase its price as time passes by in markets.
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Conclusion
We therefore conclude that we can produce an alternative homemade organic insecticide with the use of lemongrass and lemongrass oil as our main ingredients. Its quality, odor and effect is not the same as commercial products sold in markets but it can assure your safety. Its time consumed hold a short difference of seconds between Baygon. The objectives of this investigatory project were all achieved:
1.2 Statement of the Problem/Objective
1.2.1 To propose an alternative insecticide for consumers
This is an alternative for consumers to create an insecticide instead of rushing towards the
markets and buy insecticides which may harm the children's health especially the younger
audiences. This is optional for the consumers and this is easily obtained by just following the
general procedures and its ingredients are commonly found in a household.
1.2.2 To test and discover its quality of eliminating all kinds of insects like cockroaches, spiders, bed
bugs etc.
The product has successfully repelled the insects during the test with time table presented
above it shows the seconds on our insecticide was able to exterminate insects within seconds.
Although, its quality is not as accurate as Baygon because of its chemical content and since,
our aims to make an alternative and homemade.
1.2.3 Will this product be as effective and safer to use rather than common insecticides?
It is effective and safer to use compare to commercially sold products in the markets and the
difference was the rate of time. The quality of our product is not as high like those common
insecticides but it can kill insects.
1.2.4 Aims to produce insecticide out of lemongrass oil
Usage of another material or ingredient that can help increase the effectiveness of the
lemongrass. Using lemongrass oil as our main ingredient as it also adds up effectiveness of the
insecticide.
5.2 Recommendations
There are a lot of better alternatives for lemongrass oil and rosemary oil like onion and garlic, eucalyptus, chrysanthemum flower tea and a lot more. If we were to recreate this product, we would likely have the oils boiled for a longer time for it to be extracted better. Since we had a problem squeezing in our time through the hectic week, we would test it for a few more tries to have more accurate results. Since our product is also homemade and organic, we would also like to try adding in some more ingredients to test which of which is a better solution. The researchers would like to recommend more study about our homemade organic insecticide with the use of lemongrass oil and accurate procedure and measures will be used. The researchers also recommend the use of a test group that is easier to handle because the mosquitoes were not easy to handle and limitations of insects in higher form.
Bibliography
Lemongrass Oil as an Alternative Insect Repellant https://lemongrassoilip.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/lemongrass-oil-as-an-alternative-insect-repellent-2/
Insecticidal Properties of Lemon Grass
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/insecticidal-properties-lemon-grass-55229.html
How to Use Lemongrass Oil as an Insect Repellent
http://www.ehow.com/how_2164040_use-lemongrass-oil-as-insect.html
How To Use Lemon Grass To Repel Mosquitoes
http://plantcaretoday.com/how-to-use-lemon-grass-to-repel-mosquitoes.html
How toxic are these pesticides?
http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/eh01/pesticides/pestiscide_health_effects.html
