International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology

(IJARET)
Volume 6, Issue 10, Oct 2015, pp. 127-130, Article ID: IJARET_06_10_019
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=6&IType=10
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
IAEME Publication
___________________________________________________________________________

NOVEL AND ECO FRIENDLY ANT CHALK

AND MOSQUITO MAT FROM COCONUT
SHELL OIL
H. Ajith Hebbar
Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering,
Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan, India
Anvith A Hebbar
Student, Sharada Vidyanikethana Public School, Talapady, Mangalore, India,
Dayananda Patwardhan
Industrialist and Arecanut Product Expert, Mundaje, India
ABSTRACT
The mosquito repellents and ant chalks available in the market are made
of toxic chemicals. Though they are effective, but extremely harmful to human
being. In this context, as an alternative, in this study, coconut shell oil based
ant chalk and mosquito mat were prepared. Coconut shell oil is an organic
based blackish brown liquid derived from agro waste coconut shell (Cocos
nucifera). It can be extracted by indirectly burning the shredded coconut
shells. The lab tests and various literatures related to this extracted liquid
reveal that it is an organic acid containing Phenolic group. Ant chalk was
prepared by mixing the shell oil with lime, clay and water. Mosquito mat was
prepared using a mixture of shell oil, cow dung, Fenugreek and water. Well
dried ant chalks and mosquito mats were taken for the study and distributed to
the households for testing their effectiveness as repellents. The results of both
products were extremely good.
Key words: Coconut shell oil, Clay, Lime, Fenugreek and Phenol.
Cite this Article: H. Ajith Hebbar, Anvith A Hebbar and Dayananda
Patwardhan. Novel and Eco Friendly Ant Chalk and Mosquito Mat From
Coconut Shell Oil. International Journal of Advanced Research in
Engineering and Technology, 6(10), 2015, pp. 127-130.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=6&IType=10

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H. Ajith Hebbar, Anvith A Hebbar and Dayananda Patwardhan

1. INTRODUCTION
In urban areas due to bad management of solid and liquid wastes from households and
industries, the presence of Mosquitoes is a common scene. People make extensive use
of hazardous chemical based mosquito coils, mats, liquids. Ant nuisance is another
commonly reported problem. People rely on commercially available ant repellents,
which are toxic. In long run these chemical products are harmful to human health.
Keeping in this view, the shell derived liquid was taken for the study. Various
literatures available were referred to analyze characteristics of the shell liquid [1]. A
team of researcher referred this oil as Wood Vinegar [2]. These literatures revealed
the presence of Phenol, Acetic acid, 2-6 Dimethoxy Phenol, 2 Methyl Propyl Ester
Butanoic Acid, Oleic Acid and many other phenol derivatives. A study made by
researchers also indicated insecticidal and repellent effect of this shell oil [3]. An
attempt was made to produce harmless, cheap, natural, simple products from this
liquid derived from agricultural waste coconut shell (Kalpa Vriksha) as replacement
to mosquito and ant repellants products available commercially. The mosquito
repellent was in the form of mat and ant repellent was in chalk form.

2. MATERIALS AND METHOD

Preparation of Shell oil
The method of extracting the oil from the shell is shown in the accompanying
flowchart.
Collection of
Coconut Shells

Storage

Drying

Crushing

Extraction

Condensation

Placing in
the Setup

Indirect
Heating

Evaporation of
the Chemical
Contents

Ant Repellent Chalk

The extracted Coconut shell oil was thoroughly mixed with Lime powder, Clay and
water to get a consistent mix (2 part Shell Oil, 10 part Lime powder, 1 part fine clay,
10 part water). The mix was rolled to shape of chalk piece and dried for 3 days
(Fig.1).

Mosquito Mat
The shell oil was mixed with Cow dung, powdered Fenugreek and water (5 Part shell
oil, 10 part cow dung,1 part Fenugreek powder, 10 part water). Initially the mix was
dried for 2 days and rolled to approximately 3 centimeters of circular mat. The mats
were again allowed to completely dry for 3 more days. The Fenugreek enhanced the
binding property of the mix. The cow dung assisted the burning of the mat (Fig.1).

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Novel and Eco Friendly Ant Chalk and Mosquito Mat From Coconut Shell Oil

Figure1. Photographic view of Ant chalks and Mosquito mats.

Testing of Products
The shell oil was tested for its compounds in the chemical laboratory for functional
group and pH.
For studying the effectiveness of repellent action, the dried mosquito mats and ant
chalks were given to 45 households around the study area where mosquito and ant
nuisance prevailed. People were requested to use mosquito mats with direct burning
as well as electrical burning. The people were interviewed to get the results and
feedback.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Shell oil testing
Various results of tests on the extracted liquid are shown in Fig. 2.

Figure2 Results of chemical tests on shell oil.

The summary of results and feedback obtained during the study are shown in
Table 1.

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H. Ajith Hebbar, Anvith A Hebbar and Dayananda Patwardhan

Table 1 Summary of results and feedback on effectiveness of repellents
Mosquito Mats

Ant Chalks

No. of households - 45

No. of households - 45

Very Effective
Moderately Effective
Defective Burning

Feedback

38
Very Effective
42
3
Moderately Effective
3
4
No reports of smoke irritation. Burning of mats lasted
for 30 minutes.
Electrical burning was equally effective.

Overall results showed very effective performance of ant and mosquito repellent
products. The cases of defective burning can be attributed to absorption of moisture
during the storage when not in use. As agro wastes and easily available materials were
used, cost of production of mat and chalk was nominal.

4. FURTHER STUDY
Testing of the shell oil is further continued on Termites in the form of spray, but
studies are in initial stages. The studies are also under way to test medicinal benefits
(anti microbial) of coconut shell oil and its use in veterinary field.

5. CONCLUSION
Based on the study carried out, following conclusions can be drawn

As all the materials used in the products are natural and organic, they harmless and
eco friendly.
Product preparation easy and simple.
Coconut shells are easily available as agricultural wastes.

Charcoal obtained during the extraction, can be used for burning.

REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]
[4]

[5]

V. Verma, A.Bhardwaj , S.Rathi and R.B. Raja, A Potential Antimicrobial

Agent from Cocos nucifera mesocarp extract- Development of a New
Generation Antibiotic., ISCA Journal of Biological Sciences, 2012, 1(2), 4854.
Ervina Mela, Yandra Arkeman, Erliza Noor and Noer Achsani, Potential
Products of Coconut Shell Wood Vinegar, Research Journal of
Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, 4 (4), 2013, 1480-1492.
J. Rakmai, Pharmaceutical Science (Thesis) 2009, Prince of Songkla
University, Thailand.
Dr. R.Sivanesan and Mr. S.Prabin. Problems and Prospects of Coconut
Industries in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. International Journal of
Management, 4(6), 2013, pp. 135 - 144.
Abi Vargheser and Jippu Jacob. A Review of Coconut Husking Machines.
International Journal of Design and Manufacturing Technology, 5(3), 2014,
pp. 68 - 78.

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