Hybridization of insect repellent using Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Oil and Citrus Hystrix (Kaffir Lime) Oil

This study is to create a hybrid insect cream repellent that contain natural ingredient using two species which is Pelargonium graveolens and Citrus hystrix. Since synthetic chemical repellent has side effect and it is not safe to be inhaled which can cause serious breathing problems or trigger allergic reactions, it is safe to use a natural repellent product. The essential oil of these plant species have been extracted by using steam distillation process. The yield of essential oil of these species are differ with each other which is 0.982% for Pelargonium graveolens and 1.647% for Citrus hystrix. The ratio of essential oil for Pelargonium graveolens and Citrus hystrix added in the cream production process is 1:1. 1g of essential oil for both species is used and were mixed with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to create a cream. The cream repellent that were produced has been tested through survey from ten students of UMK Jell Campus. The students have tried the cream repellent and were brought to humid surrounding which is usually a habitat for insects like mosquito or bug at Pinggiran UMK during night time. This study showed that the cream from both species are able to repel insects. Since geranium oil has unpleasant strong essence, the presence of kaffir lime oil helped to reduce the essence.