Natural odours for mosquito repellent

Compounds are being developed that could deter mosquitoes from infecting humans with malaria.

Researchers at the University of California have based their studies on fruit bats, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when they are in danger.

Professor Anandasankar Ray from the institution has suggested that new odorants including compounds such as hexanol and butanal could detract Culex mosquitoes.

This could decrease the amount of people who are infected with malaria, as well as West Nile virus disease.

"CO2 emitted in human breath is the main attractant for the Culex mosquito to find people, aiding the transmission of these deadly diseases," said professor Ray.

"These compounds can now be used to guide research in developing novel repellents and masking agents that are economical and environmentally safe methods to block mosquitoes' ability to detect CO2 in our breath, thereby dramatically reducing mosquito-human contact."

During his childhood, professor Ray contracted malaria himself, the study in the journal Nature revealed.

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