Stick preparation of essential oils blend as repellent against Aedes aegepty

Abstract

Abstract Essential oils have many uses, including being a repellent for mosquitoes. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the best essential oil mixture in stick form. Essential oils used in this research are citronella, lavender, geranium, and patchouli oil. First, the essential oil is characterized by colour, specific gravity, refractive index, and solubility in alcohol. The essential oil colours produced according to SNI and ISO are pale yellow to reddish-brown, the density is 0.880-0.970, the refractive index is 1.462-1.509 and dissolved in alcohol. The essential oil used produced 6 samples, namely the J-O sample. Organoleptic tests on these samples showed that the most preferred samples were sample J and sample M. The selected samples were continued to be made into sticks. Repellent products have a milky white appearance, a fresh odour, are not hot on the skin, have normal pH (6-6.2), are stable, homogeneous, and non-irritating. The repellent tests of products J and M were equally effective compared to controls. The value of the protective power generated from the two products reaches above 90% until the first hour.