Evaluation of the Mosquito Repellent Activity of Jatropha curcas Seed Oil: A Phytochemical and Formulation-Based Study

Background Mosquito-borne diseases remain a persistent public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. The extensive reliance on synthetic mosquito repellents like DEET N N-diethyl-meta-toluamide has raised concerns about toxicity resistance and environmental degradation. In response to these issues plant-derived repellents are gaining attention for their safety and sustainability.nbspObjective This study investigated the insecticidal and repellent properties of Jatropha curcas seed oil formulated into herbal mosquito repellent cones.nbspMethods The cones were prepared with varying concentrations of fixed oil and natural excipients including cow dung camphor charcoal benzoin gum acacia and jasmine oil. The formulations F1 to F4 were evaluated for burning time smoke visibility ash content irritation potential odour and mosquito mortality. Phytochemical analysis Soxhlet extraction of fixed oil microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR spectroscopy were performed to characterize the material and assess its bioactive compounds.Results Results showed that J. curcas fixed oil particularly in higher concentrations possessed potent mosquito repellent and insecticidal activity attributed to terpenoids and phorbol esters.nbspConclusion The findings support the use of Jatropha-based herbal cones as safe cost-effective alternatives to chemical repellents in mosquito control.