Health
Cellulose nanocrystals as a barrier against mosquito bites
In a recent study published in National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Nexus Proceedings Journal, researchers investigated the barrier effects of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) against mosquitoes.
study: Mosquito bite prevention by self-assembled cellulose nanocrystals. Image credit: nechaevkon/Shutterstock.com
Background
Mosquitoes are vectors for many parasites/communicable diseases such as Zika, malaria, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Eliminating malaria by 2030 is one of the most important goals of the United Nations.
A variety of strategies are being evaluated to reach this goal, including vaccines, treatments, solutions to prevent mosquito bites, and eradication of mosquito populations.
Topical repellents include natural odorants (such as citronella) or synthetic non-odorants (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide).
They are generally active molecules that act on olfactory receptors, making the skin an undesirable target for mosquitoes. Nevertheless, the effective distance/time range is limited.
CNCs are formed by acid hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose and are readily water soluble. They are transparent in low concentrations of water and can be cast and dried into thin films. CNC exhibits liquid crystalline behavior even at low concentrations, making it suitable for stable dispersion.
Research and Findings
In the present study, researchers investigated the barrier properties of CNC. egyptian temple mosquito. First, one author placed his hand in a cage with 15 female mosquitoes for 10 minutes. A defined skin area was exposed with or without topical CNC application.
Glycerol was used in the aqueous solution because the CNC did not dry ideally on the skin and cracked due to its brittleness. CNC-glycerol significantly reduced the number of blood-sucking mosquitoes.
At this stage, it was difficult to determine whether the barrier effect was physical or chemical. Video monitoring suggested fewer mosquitoes landed on CNC-coated hands. .
The authors performed another experiment to determine the chemical barrier properties of CNC-glycerol mixtures. Therefore, an artificial feeding system (Hemotek) was used to eliminate human prejudices.
Membrane filters collecting eggs were photographed with the same camera equipment and lighting conditions. The difference in egg reduction between control (parafilm) and CNC was dramatic, confirming the barrier effect of CNC.
In addition, indole was added to the CNC-glycerol solution as reports suggested a role in inhibiting host attraction of these mosquitoes.
CNC-indole coating was the most effective in reducing the number of eggs on membrane filters. Finally, a simple headspace experiment evaluated whether the CNC film could block the mosquito attractant ammonium hydroxide.
This confirmed that the CNC blocked the ammonium hydroxide vapor, suggesting a chemical barrier effect.
Conclusion
Researchers noted that CNC may reduce blood supply. Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes when tested on human hands and an artificial Hemotek membrane feeding system.
These experiments confirmed that the CNC acts as a chemical camouflage and significantly reduces the number of eggs laid. This oviposition reduction was further improved when indole was used in the CNC-glycerol formulation.
Furthermore, the CNC film blocked the permeation of ammonium hydroxide vapor, confirming the chemical barrier effect of CNC.
Overall, the ubiquitous nature of cellulose, biocompatibility, and self-assembly properties of CNCs make CNCs ideal candidates for next-generation personal protective equipment.
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