Mini Review Open Access

Plant-Based Insect Repellents: Phytochemistry, Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Applications

Abstract

Plant-based insect repellents have gained increasing attention as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemical repellents. Derived from natural sources such as essential oils and plant extracts, these repellents offer protection against a wide range of insect vectors responsible for transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. The bioactive compounds present in plants, including terpenoids, alkaloids, and phenolics, play a significant role in repelling insects through various mechanisms such as odor masking, neurotoxicity, and behavioral disruption. This article provides a comprehensive overview of plant-based insect repellents, including their sources, chemical composition, mechanisms of action, efficacy, formulation strategies, and applications. Challenges such as volatility, stability, and variability are also discussed, along with future perspectives in improving their effectiveness through modern technologies. Plant-based repellents represent a promising approach for safer and sustainable vector control.

C. Elena Petrova

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