Scientists have discovered natural insect-repelling compounds in a plant native to Africa and India that has long been used as a folk remedy to ward off bugs.
In a report in the journal Agricultural Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers said they have identified components of seed oil from a plant known as Jatropha curcas that repel mosquitoes.
After learning that Indians burn J. curcas seed oil in lamps to keep insects away, USDA chemist Charles Cantrell analyzed smoke from the plant in a laboratory and found it contains free fatty acids and triglycerides — active compounds that effectively prevent mosquitoes from biting.
Cantrell is now working with other scientists at the USDA and the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi to explore promising compounds from other plants that might be used — in combination with those in Jatropha plants — to develop more potent, natural repellents.
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