Lanzones (Lansium domesticum) Peels, Sawdust, andWax Shavings as an Organic Alternative Ingredient in
Mosquito Coils in Repelling the Philippine Prominent
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
University of the Philippines Rural High School
Measurement of Combustion Period

Abstract

Lanzones peel mosquito coil and commercial mosquito coil altered tomatch weights
Coils lit and placed three meters away in open spaces

This study reported the use of lanzones (Lansium domesticum)
peels,sawdust,andwaxshavings

asanorganic

alternativeObservations were recorded after the timer stopped

Testing the Effectivity of Both Coils in Repelling Mosquitoes in Close
Proximity

ingredient in mosquito coils. The mosquito coils were produced

Improvised chamber prepared by cutting several holes in container

by mixing the ground lanzones peels, sawdust, corn starch, wax

Hole cut from side of container at the bottom:entry point of coilshavings and water and molded using the aluminum mold. The

Holes placed on cover of container for sufficient air and exit forsmoke; mosquito was set free inside the chambersamples were oven-dried and stored in a sealed bag. The study

Piece of the coil lit and inserted in hole

focused on determining the effectivity of the produced coils in

Thermometer on the top of the chamber to monitor the temperature.

repellingmosquitoes

as

well

as

the

commercial

coils

in

the

factors that make up a good and useful product. Combustion
periods were measured, and the effectivity was tested in bothcloseandfar

proximities.

Burnduration

test

showedthatlanzones peel mosquito coils burn faster than the commercial
mosquito coil. However, lanzones peel mosquito coil was provento be effective as a repellant as it was able to debilitate themosquitoes quicker than the commercial coils did. This was true

Reached25°C,

thecoilwasremoved,

andthemosquito

wasobserved. This process was repeated three more times.

Testing the Effectivity of Both Coils in Repelling Mosquitoes in Far
Proximity
Three setups were created: a commercial mosquito coil, a lanzones
peel mosquito coil, and no mosquito coil
Includes plastic bottle mosquito trap created with sugar and yeast
Placed in different spaces in the backyardThe mosquito coils were lit and placed in three setups.
Left for 12 hours and were observed for mosquitoes in the trap.

for both the close proximity contact and far proximity contact

Results & Discussions

with mosquitoes.

Keywords: dengue, mosquitoes, lanzones peels, mosquito coils,

Figure 1 shows lanzones peel mosquito coil and commercial mosquito coiltriterpenes

In Fig. 1A, lanzones peel mosquito coil has rough surface and noticeable larger
particles than the commercial mosquito coil.

Introduction

Figure 1: (A) Lanzones Peel Mosquito Coil and (B) Commercial Mosquito CoilDengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs intropicalandsubtropical

areas

likeSouthandNorth

America,(A)Africa, and Asia. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of
infectedAedes

aegyptiorAedes

albopictus

mosquitos.

This

deadly disease has been terrorizing many households in many
countries and regions all over the world.

According to the World

Health Organization, dengue fever is the most critical mosquitoborne disease in the world – it is also the most rapidly spreading.
There has been a 30-fold increase in global incidence over thepast 50 years. Annual estimates show that 390 million dengue
infections occur where 96 million results in illnesses with 500 000oftheseillnesses

developinto

severedengueor(B)Burn duration of both coils shown in Table 1.
Commercial mosquito coil takes a longer time to be consumed by 33.33 %Difference of two hours was observed in the burn duration
Result can be attributed to the types of materials used
Dry ingredients used for producing the commercial coils are finer and produces
a more compact coil than the lanzones peel
Another reason: sawdust is more combustible than any other materials
Particle size of sawdust is the largest in size in the lanzones peel mosquito coils.

Table 1: Burn duration of the Lanzones Peel Mosquito Coil and Commercial Coildenguehemorrhagic fever - a more severe form of the said disease.
Unfortunately, 25 000 of these infections lead to death.
The Philippines, being in the tropics, records high cases of thisdisease yearly and Filipinos find ways to deal with the diseasecarrying insects to prevent outbreaks. Several measures are done,

Figure 2 shows average time to reach theandstages of debilitation of mosquitoes byproducts

arecreatedtobattle

thedisease.

Oneof

the

commonly used products is repellants like lotions, incense, andmosquitocoils.

Mosquito

Coils

are

themostpopularin

thePhilippines due to their affordability and effectivity. However, they
unknowingly present another health issue as they have adverse
health effects on human beings due to the inorganic materials
used for their active ingredient.

commercial coil and lanzones peel coil.
Results show that the average time thelanzones peel coil debilitated mosquito in threestages with the same temperature in both
setups was faster than the commercial coil.
Confirms that the lanzones peel is aneffective active ingredient in mosquito coils
Even more effective than the commercial

Figure 2: Average Time to Reach the Stagesof Debilitation of the Mosquitoes by theCommercial Mosquito Coil and theIt was observed that there was more smoke Lanzones Mosquito Coilmosquito coil in close proximity to themosquitoes.

Objectives

123
45

Create an Effective Mosquito Repellant
Create a product that can prevent mosquito contact
Create a Less Harmful Mosquito Coil
Eliminate inorganic compounds in creating mosquito
coil
Find Cheaper Alternative Materials for Mosquito Coil
Utilize waste materials to reduce cost and makeproduction process sustainable
Test Product in Real Life Conditions
Use resulting coil in realistic environment andcompare it to commercial counterpart
Satisfy Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Methodology
Collection and Preparation of Materials

produced by the lanzones peel mosquito coil compared to the commercial coil.
Smoke is due to the high moisture content of the lanzones peels and sawdust as it
was only sun dried.
Number of mosquitoes trappedin three setups (lanzones peelcoil, commercial coil, and nomosquito coil) for 12 hours
shown in Table 2.
Difference in number ofmosquitoes caught by themosquito trap in each setup
can be observed.

Table 2: Number of Mosquitoes Trapped in Three Setups
for 12 hours(Setup with no mosquito coil has the most mosquitoes)
Most

notableresult:lanzones

peelsetup

wasabletocatchlessmosquito coil.
Lanzones peel coil shooed the mosquitoes before getting caught by trapConclusion
The Lanzones Peel Mosquito Coil is:effective as a mosquito coil andmosquito coil obtained from the local market in Los Banos, Lagunamosquito repellant

Recommendations
To Improve Study and Results:
use better tools and equipmentuse finer pulverized materials

The lanzones peels were sun-dried to remove moisture
better than commercial mosquito coilapply better drying procedure toThe best ratio of materials determined by trial and error method
Chosen ratio: 2 1/2 lanzones peels to 1 1/2 corn starch to 2 sawdust

organic and safe; eliminated inorganic

to 3 watercompounds in mosquito coileliminate most moisture
study other factors that makeDry ingredients were mixed; Water added to complete the mixture
The individual coil produced by mixing 1/8 cup of resulting mixture andhomemade and can be made by aa teaspoon of wax shavings

common householdoven-dried for 15 minutes to fully dry the coil

coilShows that lanzones peel mosquito coil is more effective than the commercial

Lanzones peels, corn starch, sawdust, wax shavings, and commercial

Preparation of Lanzones Peel Mosquito Coilmosquito

mosquitoes than commercial mosquito coil’s setup

commercial coil functional
explore better production methods