Elevating Hygiene Standards: Utilizing Pelargonium Citrosum to Deter Houseflies and Assessing its Antibacterial Attributes in Formulated Products

In the quest for effective insect control, the shift towards botanical, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable repellents is gaining prominence as a viable alternative to chemical insecticides. This study delves into the evaluation of antimicrobial activities and housefly repellence of Pelargonium citrosum (P. citrosum), focusing on its potential as a natural solution for controlling the transmission of pathogens by the housefly (Musca domestica L.).Hydro-distillation was employed for the extraction of essential oils from P. citrosum, and the resulting oil extracts were tested for their efficacy in repelling adult houseflies. The study included a comparison with N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) as the positive control and acetone as the negative control. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the bioactive oil primarily consisted of compounds such as Linalool, Geraniol, m-Camphorene, 2-naphthalene methanol-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydroalpha, Geranylangelate, exhibiting a significant repellency with an LD50 value of 0.445 mg.In addition to its insect-repelling properties, the antimicrobial activities of P. citrosum essential oils were explored using the Disk diffusion method. The outcomes demonstrated the oil's effectiveness against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis at a low concentration of 0.5% v/v, showcasing a concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. Remarkably, P. citrus surpassed the efficacy of conventional drugs like Gentamicin and Nitrofurantoin against Staphylococcus aureus.This research provides scientific validation for the traditional use of Pelargonium citrus in controlling houseflies and other common household insects. The unique combination of insect repellence and antimicrobial properties positions P. citrosum as a promising natural alternative for insect control and disease prevention.

Elevating Hygiene Standards: Utilizing Pelargonium Citrosum to Deter Houseflies and Assessing its Antibacterial Attributes in Formulated Products Keywords:

Musca domestica , Pelargonium citrosum , Antimicrobial activity , Repellency bioassay , effectiveness