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Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/s...developed.html
Inspect repellents 'three times stronger' than existing sprays developed
A new insect repellent that works for up to three times longer than the best existing spray has been developed by scientists in the United States.
By Chris Irvine
Published: 7:06AM BST 17 Aug 2009
Out of 23 new compounds produced by scientists, 10 gave about 40 days' protection, three times longer protection than DEET, the most common product in repellents.
According to the research presented at the American Chemical Society in Washington, it opened up the possibility for soldiers to receive protection for at least 24 hours.
Ulrich Bernier, of the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, said ?the most important accomplishment? was the ability to devise repellents ?through modelling techniques that predicted that these compounds would be potent".
Mosquitoes transmit a host of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus, and yellow fever.
Seven of the 10 new products will receive further testing, including toxicology, he said.
Dr Bernier, the lead researcher for the study, said commercial use may be years off however.
"Commercial availability of topical repellents can take years and it is a significant investment to achieve that end goal," he said.
"The cost will be several hundred thousand dollars. Once you determine that the repellent works through some screening process, we then have to go through a toxicological hazard evaluation involving numerous toxicological tests. Clearly, the odds are stacked against new repellent products making it to market."
The research was conducted at the U S Department of Agriculture?s Mosquito and Fly Research Unit and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida, both in Gainesville. The work was partly funded by the Defense Department.
Inspect repellents 'three times stronger' than existing sprays developed
A new insect repellent that works for up to three times longer than the best existing spray has been developed by scientists in the United States.
By Chris Irvine
Published: 7:06AM BST 17 Aug 2009
Out of 23 new compounds produced by scientists, 10 gave about 40 days' protection, three times longer protection than DEET, the most common product in repellents.
According to the research presented at the American Chemical Society in Washington, it opened up the possibility for soldiers to receive protection for at least 24 hours.
Ulrich Bernier, of the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, said ?the most important accomplishment? was the ability to devise repellents ?through modelling techniques that predicted that these compounds would be potent".
Mosquitoes transmit a host of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus, and yellow fever.
Seven of the 10 new products will receive further testing, including toxicology, he said.
Dr Bernier, the lead researcher for the study, said commercial use may be years off however.
"Commercial availability of topical repellents can take years and it is a significant investment to achieve that end goal," he said.
"The cost will be several hundred thousand dollars. Once you determine that the repellent works through some screening process, we then have to go through a toxicological hazard evaluation involving numerous toxicological tests. Clearly, the odds are stacked against new repellent products making it to market."
The research was conducted at the U S Department of Agriculture?s Mosquito and Fly Research Unit and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida, both in Gainesville. The work was partly funded by the Defense Department.