The Effectiveness of using lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves extracts

as insecticidal spray

Life Science
Individual Category

Shanna Sophia U. Pelicano

Proponent

Erick Venn R. Rollon

Research Adviser

December 2023

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 I. INTRODUCTION

Rationale

In the recent decade, the use of synthetic pesticides has come under intense criticism,
with continued reliance on "conventional" insecticides and acaricides threatened by current or
pending legislation being adopted at various geographical scales ( Sparagano& George,2016).
As society grows more aware of the environment, there’s an urgent need to investigate
alternate, sustainable, and eco-friendly pest control options (Singh,2023). This research looks
at the potential usefulness of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), garlic bulb (Allium sativum),
and pomelo leaves (Citrus maxima) as insecticidal spray ingredients. Lemongrass is well-
known for its citronella concentration, which has been shown to repel insects. Citronellol,
citronellal, and geraniol, among the active components, have been shown to be efficient
against a variety of pests, making lemongrass a good option for an organic pesticide (Parasite,
2013). Lemongrass is also renowned for its antibacterial capabilities, which adds to its
potential utility in pest management. Garlic bulb has traditionally been used for bug control
due of its intense odor linked to allicin and other sulfur compounds. These chemicals have
antifungal, antibacterial, and insecticidal effects. This makes garlic an appealing insecticidal
spray ingredient, especially given its broad-spectrum effects and low impact on non-target
organisms (Molecules,2022).

This study seeks to assess the insecticidal efficiency of lemongrass, garlic bulb, and
pomelo leaf extracts against common agricultural pests, exploring potential synergies in a
combined insecticidal spray while comparing its safety and environmental impact to synthetic
pesticides. Success could yield a safer, more sustainable alternative to synthetic counterparts,
with locally accessible plants enhancing affordability (Visakh&Kutty,2022). The research
contributes to developing ecologically friendly pest management strategies, addressing the
dual issues of effective pest control and environmental protection in modern agriculture.
Beyond its potential as an environmentally friendly insecticidal treatment, the combination of
lemongrass, garlic, and pomelo extracts holds promise as a viable alternative to synthetic
pesticides, offering insights into mechanisms and safety profiles for long-term pest
management solutions beneficial for farmers, environmentalists, and policymakers alike
(Insect, 2022).

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Research Questions

1. When compared to commercially available insecticides, how successful is the insecticidal

spray created from lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves at controlling and reducing the
population of common pests?
2. What are the potential ecological and human health dangers of using the insecticidal spray of
lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves, and how do these risks compare to those of
conventional insecticides?
3. How does the residue of the insecticidal sprays of lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves
on crops compare to the residue of synthetic insecticides, and what are the implications for food
safety and agricultural quality?
Research Hypothesis
1. If the insecticidal spray of lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves is used, then will have the
same or better results for repelling parasites than industrial pesticides.
2. If the insecticidal spray made from lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves is utilized,
then there will be no substantial negative impacts on human health or the environment, making it
a safer alternative to conventional insecticides.
3. If crops get treated with the insecticidal spray made from lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo
leaves, then the residual levels are going to be equivalent to or lower than crops treated with
synthetic insecticides, thereby ensuring food safety and quality.
 II. METHODOLOGY
This study will be divided into 3 phases: Gathering and Preparation of Materials,
Experimentation Process, and Data Collection and Analysis. Phase I and II will be done at Pioneer-Dela
Cruz, Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao del Norte while Phase III will be done at Tagum City National
High School.

Phase 1: Gathering and Preparation of Materials

Preparation of Extracts: The plant materials, namely lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), garlic
bulb (Allium sativum), and pomelo leaves (Citrus maxima), will be sourced from local markets in Roxas
St. Tagum City, Davao del Norte. The extraction process will involve cleaning and drying the plant
materials to ensure purity. Lemongrass will undergo steam distillation to obtain essential oil, while garlic
bulbs and pomelo leaves will be crushed and subjected to solvent extraction using ethanol.

Each plant material will be cleaned, dried, and processed during the extraction process.
Lemongrass and garlic bulbs will be minced, and pomelo leaves will be coarsely chopped. Depending
on the nature of the plant material, the extraction will be carried out using a suitable solvent (e.g., water
or ethanol) by maceration or steam distillation.

Preparation of Materials:

Other materials, such as solvents, containers, and sprayers, will be collected in addition to the plant
debris. The study will ensure that all materials utilized are free of contamination and that all ethical
requirements are followed.

Part 2. Experimentation Process

Preparation for Experiment: Two sets of experiments will be conducted using common
agricultural pests (to be specified based on the region and prevalent pests). The first set will involve
individual extracts of lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaves, while the second set will explore a
combination of the three extracts.

The containers will be filled with a suitable pest cultivation media, and each extract will be
applied separately. Initial testing will be used to determine optimum lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo
leaf extract ratios for the combined extract. The pests will be placed into the containers, and observations
will be taken over a predetermined time period.

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 Experimentation: The experiments will be carried out under regulated conditions to assure
reliability. Temperature, humidity, and light will be standardized, and pest mortality and non-target
organism effects will be monitored on a regular basis.

Effectivity Test: The efficiency of the insecticidal spray will be tested by comparing pest
mortality rates between the control group (no spray) and the experimental groups (individual and
combination plant extracts). Data will be collected at predetermined intervals, and statistical analysis
will be used to establish the significance of the findings.

Phase 3: Data Collection and Analysis

Data Collection: The data will include observations on insect death, any visible effects on non-
target organisms, and the overall health of the plants used in the research. Data will be collected at regular
intervals during the experimentation period.

Data Analysis: Statistical analysis, such as t-tests or ANOVA, will be used to evaluate the
efficiency of individual and mixed plant extracts to synthetic pesticides. The analysis will involve safety
and environmental impact assessments.

This comprehensive methodology seeks to provide useful insights into the insecticidal efficacy of
lemongrass, garlic bulb, and pomelo leaf extracts, as well as their potential as an environmentally benign
alternative to synthetic pesticides.

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Bibliography

● Sparagano, O., & George, D. (2016). Critique of Synthetic Pesticides in Pest Control: Legislative
Threats and Alternatives. Journal of Pest Science, 89(4), 823-829. ● Singh, A. (2023). Urgent Need
for Sustainable Pest Control: A Review of Eco-Friendly Options. Environmental Science and
Pollution Research, 30(12), 14521-14533. ● Parasite. (2013). Lemongrass as an Organic Pesticide:
Active Components and Efficiency. Parasite, 20, 10.
● Molecules. (2022). Garlic Bulb Extracts for Insect Control: Chemical Composition and Effects.
Molecules, 27(3), 589.
● Visakh, P. M., & Kutty, T. R. N. (2022). Local Plant Extracts for Affordable Pest Management.
International Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 24(1), 45-53.
● Insect. (2022). Synergistic Potential of Lemongrass, Garlic Bulb, and Pomelo Leaf Extracts for
Pest Management. Insect, 13(7), 213.