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J Med Entomol

Title:		Evaluation of repellent properties of volatile extracts from the Australian native plant Kunzea ambigua against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culcidae)
Author(s):		Thomas J; Webb CE; Narkowicz C; Jacobson GA; Peterson GM; Davies NW; Russell RC;
Address:		"School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 26, Hobart, 7001 TAS, Australia"
Journal Title:		J Med Entomol
Year:		2009
Volume:		46
Issue:		6
Page Number:		1387 - 1391
DOI:		10.1603/033.046.0619
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-2585 (Print) 0022-2585 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Kunzea ambigua (Smith) Druce (Myrtaceae) is an Australian native plant, commonly known as tick bush. The essential oil of the plant has been proposed as a potential mosquito repellent. Commercial K. ambigua oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and its composition compared with that of oils from two individual K. ambigua plants and citronella oil. K. ambigua oils were studied for their repellency against Aedes aegypti L. Formulations of three different K. ambigua essential oils (30% vol:vol) were tested for repellency to mosquitoes using human volunteers. One oil was compared with citronella and N,N'-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) for repellency. Oil formulations were also tested for repellency with and without the addition of 5% vanillin. The formulation containing commercially produced K. ambigua oil had a mean complete protection time (CPT) of 49 +/- 24 (SD) min. All the K. ambigua formulations had comparable repellency to 40% citronella. However, the 60% citronella formulation showed higher repellency than the 40% K. ambigua formulation. The addition of 5% vanillin did not increase the repellency of K. ambigua oil. Both K. ambigua oil and citronella were significantly less repellent than deet. The K. ambigua essential oil formulations should not be advocated for use as repellents in regions prone to mosquito-borne disease"
Keywords:		"Aedes/*drug effects Animals Australia Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Humans Insect Repellents/chemistry/isolation & purification/*pharmacology Kunzea/*chemistry Oils, Volatile/chemistry/isolation & purification/*pharmacology Plant Extracts/chemistry;"
Notes:		"MedlineThomas, J Webb, C E Narkowicz, C Jacobson, G A Peterson, G M Davies, N W Russell, R C eng England 2009/12/08 J Med Entomol. 2009 Nov; 46(6):1387-91. doi: 10.1603/033.046.0619"