Morgan BellScientists extract mosquito repellent from sweat
July 5th 2006 12:03
Perhaps it's time for science to come to the rescue again. A joint venture between Rothamsted Research in Harpenden and the University of Aberdeen, both in the UK, is currently researching chemicals in human sweat that may be repulsive to mosquitos.
The New Scientist reports: "Everybody produces a mixture of odorous chemicals in their sweat, some of which attract biting insects, such as lactic acid. But people who do not get bitten also produce smelly chemicals that appear to mask the scent of the attractive chemicals. This masking can offer an effective camouflage against mosquitoes."
“It’s very exciting," James Logan of Rothamsted Research told the New Scientist, "because these are totally natural chemicals with an effectiveness that compares favourably to harsher chemicals such as DEET, which is the best repellent available but has unwanted effects, including dissolving plastics.”
A chemical Logan is researching can be made by plants and is also a natural food additive, both very appealing traits. The repellent is currently being tested on 16 volunteers in Africa.
(image from flickr.com)
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