BELTSVILLE, Md., Feb 9, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A compound of the Tauroniro
tree in South America has been found to be effective in deterring mosquitoes
from biting and to repel ticks, researchers said.
The study, published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that
isolongifolenone deters the biting of the mosquitoes -- known spreaders of
diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus and Lyme disease -- more effectively
than the widely used synthetic chemical repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methyl
benzamide, known as DEET. It also repelled blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks
as effectively as DEET.
Aijun Zhang said derivatives of isolongifolenone have been widely and safely
used as fragrances in cosmetics, perfumes, deodorants and paper products, but
new processing methods may make it as cheap to produce as DEET.
Since "isolongifolenone is easily synthesized from inexpensive turpentine oil
feedstock, we are therefore confident that the compound has significant
potential as an inexpensive and safe repellent for protection of large human
populations against blood-feeding arthropods," the study authors said in a
statement.
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