Abstract

Textiles have historically played a central role in the evolution of human culture, advancing both technologically and artistically. In commerce, herbs are broadly defined as plants, plant parts, or extracts used for flavor, fragrance, or medicinal purposes. Insect repellents are crucial in preventing and controlling insect-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Many plants contain compounds that naturally deter phytophagous insects, including repellents, feeding deterrents, toxins, and growth regulators. "Natural" smelling repellents are preferred because they are perceived as safe and trusted for mosquito bite prevention. Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practices as a personal protection measure against host-seeking mosquitoes.

Introduction

Cotton, a natural vegetable fiber, holds significant economic importance as a raw material for fabric. Cotton is known for its breathability and cool comfort. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials with a low environmental impact. Organic production systems promote soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, and support biodiverse agriculture. Textile finishing processes typically involve treatments like scouring, bleaching, and dyeing. Medicinal plants offer a natural resource for treating various human diseases. The abundance of plant species on Earth has led to increased interest in exploring extracts from traditional medicinal plants as potential sources of new mosquito repellent agents.

Material and Methods

This study utilized 50's combed cotton and organic cotton yarn. Wet processing techniques such as scouring, bleaching, and dyeing were applied to the yarn. The yarn was then dyed in package form using reactive dye and woven using a Dobby loom with a plain weave structure. Subsequently, a mosquito repellent finish was applied to the fabric using both herbal and conventional methods.

Mosquito Repellent Finish by Conventional Method

Mosquitoes pose significant health risks by transmitting diseases such as malaria, encephalitis, and dengue fever. Currently, there are few durable repellents designed for application to clothing, with most repellents intended for direct skin application.

Recipe:

Chemical: Tolumide Complex
Solubility: Soluble in water
Ionic Character: Non-ionic
pH Level: 6.0 � 1.0

By Pad, dry and Cure method:


Dosage - 40-60 g/l

PH - 5.0-6.0

Drying temp - 130C

Curing - 160oc for 15 Minutes

Temperature - 25 minutes


Procedure:


The fabric was padded in the Toluamide complex at the room temperature for 25 minutes and tested for Mosquito repellency.


Mosquito Repellent Finish by Herbal Method


Selection of the Medicinal Valuable Herbs


The herbal plant were identified and collected from the natural resources in a pure form. The following plant was chosen for the study Rosemary. The procedure begins with the selection of natural herb, which was screened and identified. The extract was tested for its Mosquito Repellent which was done by Excito chamber method.


Rosemary has been around for a long time, and therefore has a long list of claims regarding its medicinal uses, including use as a tonic, a digestive aid, to treat depression, headache, and muscle spam, and as an expectorant, promoter of menstrual flow, and stimulant for production of bile.


Assessment of the Mosquito Repellent Effect of Herbal Extract:


Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practice as a personal protection measure against host-seeking mosquitoes. Knowledge on traditional repellent plants obtained through ethno botanical studies is a valuable resource for the development of new natural products.


Procedure: 

Extraction from the Herb



The selected sources were cleanly and safely collected from both living area and the forest area that were grown under optimal environmental condition that is free from disease and contamination.


Filtration:


Required amount of dry powder is mixed with methanol; the container was closed and kept overnight. After overnight incubation, the extract was filtered through filter paper.

Evaporation / condensation:


After filtering the herb extract, methanol solvents were evaporated and the herb extract were condensed.


Evaluation of the Highest Mosquito Repellency Effect Using Excito Repellency Chamber by Conventional and Herbal Methods


Specially designed two excito repellency test chambers were used to evaluate the efficiency of repellency activity. The wooden outer chamber of excito-repellency testing device measures 34 cm 32 cm 32 cm and faces the front panel with the single escape portal. The box is composed of a rear door cover, an inner Plexiglas glass panel with a rubber latex-sealed door, a Plexiglas holding frame, a screened inner chamber, an outer chamber, a front door, and an exit portal slot. Mosquitoes were deprived of all nutrition and water for a minimum of 4 hours before exposure. Laboratory tests were performed during daylight hours only and each test was replicated four times. Observations were taken at one-minute interval for 30 minutes. After each test was completed, the number of Escaped specimens and those remaining inside the chamber was recorded separately for each exposure chamber, external holding cage, and paired control chamber. Escaped specimens and those remaining inside the chamber, for the treated samples, were held separately in small holding containers with food and water.


Conclusion

This research work has given a new idea in finishing of cotton and organic cotton with herbs for Mosquito Repellent activity (Rosemary).The treated fabrics were found to be very hygienic when compared to conventionally Mosquito Repellent finished fabrics.


References


  1. Carey AF, Wang G, Su CY, Zwiebel LJ, Carlson JR. Odorant reception in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae Nature. 2010; 464:66-71.
  2. Elementary idea of textile dyeing, printing and finishing, kanwar varinder pal singh, kalyani publishers,2004, pg.no-5, 29
  3. Hallem EA, Dahanukar A, Carlson JR., (2006). "Insect odour and taste receptors" Annu Rev Entomol. Vol.51. P.113-135
  4. J.R.Aspland, American association of the textile chemists and colorists,2002,pg.no-44,72
  5. Textile spinning, weaving and designing, M.G.mahadevan,Abhishek publications,2009,pg.no-2 ,3 &163
  6. V. Krishnaveni, fiber to fashion.com, Mosquito repellent finish on textiles


This article was originally published in Textile learner blog run by Mazharul Islam Kiron.