Green Science Alliance Targets Mosquitoes with Plant-Based Repellent

Mosquitoes account for over 700,000 human deaths annually, yet modern chemical repellents like DEET frequently carry toxicity concerns for children and damage household materials. Seeking a safer alternative, Japan-based Green Science Alliance has developed a new repellent utilizing nepetalactol, a natural compound derived from silver vine and catnip.

While synthetic options like Icaridin offer a milder profile than traditional DEET, natural alternatives often fall short in efficacy and duration. Dr. Yutaka Mori’s team at Green Science Alliance addresses this gap by utilizing a unique synthesis process to mass-produce nepetalactol at a lower cost, overcoming the extraction hurdles that previously limited its commercial viability. The compound is naturally occurring and notably gentler on the skin than existing chemical counterparts.

The development stems from 2021 research conducted by Iwate University and Nagoya University, which identified nepetalactol as the primary chemical in silver vine responsible for the euphoric response in felines. Researchers observed that cats instinctively coat their fur in the substance to ward off insects, effectively using the plant as a biological shield. Green Science Alliance intends to commercialize this discovery, with plans to expand its research into broader pest control applications and functional products.