Non Deet Repellents: S01E02 DIY mosquito repellents using Vetiver EO
Channel: Mountain Parameters
Date: 11/05/2021

Discussion of considerations for formulating topically applied deetfree lotions.

In episode 1 we explored the feasibility of using nootketone from natural sources in repellent formulations. While it is promising, the cost of obtaining it from natural sources is too high. The ultimate feasibility of using it will hinge on the outcome of the CDC's efforts to have it made synthetically at a much better cost.

In the meantime, we noted that the best essential oil that contains nootketone might be vetiver EO. We found that there is not a lot of technical information available on the web with respect to vetiver, so in thie episode we are going to look at the Pro's and Con's of including vetiver EO in a formula such as might be used for a spray on lotion.

Timeline:
00:00 Review of nootketone feasibility
01:00 showing samples of 98% and 65% nootketone, and vetiver EO.
6:15 retail and wholesale cost of vetiver
08:10 spreadsheet price comparison: vetiver, nootketone 98%, nootketone 65 - 70% (Note: although the spreadsheet shows an example of 2% concentrations, that is not a recommendation for a concentration amount, it is simply chosen in order to illustrate the implication of cost effects on a formulation using different ingredients. It should also be noted for example, that a 2% concentration of vetiver EO in a given formula would yield no more than .2% maximum pure nootketone content in the overall formula. Therefore it needs to be noted that a 2% concentration of vetiver EO in a formula would not be the same as having a 2% concentration of nootketone.)
13:15 review of research paper from South Africa on vetiver. This was the only paper we found that listed concentrations of nootketone content.
15:30  Summary

References:
Thanks to Citrus and Allied, and Halford Lewis, for providing and arranging delivery of the samples of nootketone and vetiver EO.

Research paper on vetiver, (Extraction of essential oils from vetiver (vetiveria zizanioides) grass. B. Leite Published 2012 Environmental Science))
 https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10413/9215/Leite_Bianca_2012.pdf
(very slow download speeds to load the document from their South African server)

Vetiver oil found to control ticks:
 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26359641/