MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY EXPO (MTE) 2006. PWTC, 23-25 February 2006, Kuala Lumpur. AWARD: SILVER MEDAL

SAIFUL IRWAN BIN ZUBAIRI AND NURHAFZAN ANIS BINTI ISMAIL

Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP),

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor. Tel. Office: +607-5532595

Fax no.: +607-5569706 e-mail: saiful@cepp.utm.my OR nurhafzan@cepp.utm.my

MozzieRID™ Natural Aromatic Skin Wipe

Abstract

Repellents are commonly used for personal protection against mosquitoes worldwide. They are one of the most effective devices used in the control of mosquito-borne tropical diseases. There are many effective repellents on the market now containing synthetic chemical active ingredients such as DEET (Autan®, Bayer), IR3535 and KBR-3023. However, there is increasing concern with their toxicity and risks to human being. The novel feature of this invention is the formulation itself wherein this skin wipe consisted of single repellent oil only plus a Hibiscus gelatin to overpower human odours and help to cool the body heat during perspirancy, thus deflecting mosquitoes away. The bioactive compound of concern consisted in this invention is geraniol. Geraniol is extracted from Pelargonium radula which is widely available locally and known as Jeremin. This particular oil posed a styptic or astringent effect which contracts the tissues or blood vessels when bleeding. Moreover, a Hibiscus gelatin is added to the formulation to cool down the body heat, which produced carbon dioxide (CO2) plus heat wave from the skin via heat transfer mechanism. A skin wipe is usually comprising a low cost and biodegradable porous sheet (cellulosic fibrous) impregnated with an oil in water emulsion. This skin wipe contained a polymeric bead which is useful for treating the human skin or environmental surfaces by providing controlled release of functional ingredient. Various mosquito-transmitted illnesses (including malaria, dengue and yellow fever) are still a serious public health problem in the most developing countries. Therefore, a search for an alternative effective insect repellent, which is also user friendly, mobile, safer and cheaper than the existing one seems are able to be fully developed and justified. Keywords: Repellent, mosquito-borne disease, styptic, skin wipe, oil-in-water emulsion, geraniol oil, Hibiscus gelatin.

MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY EXPO (MTE) 2006. PWTC, 23-25 February 2006, Kuala Lumpur. AWARD: BRONZE MEDAL

NURHAFZAN ANIS BINTI ISMAIL AND SAIFUL IRWAN BIN ZUBAIRI

Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP),

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor. Tel. Office: +607-5532595

Fax no.: +607-5569706 e-mail: nurhafzan@cepp.utm.my OR saiful@cepp.utm.my

Fever-Coolant™ Sachet

Abstract

Fever or pyrexia is an adaptive mechanism of the body to react against pathogens. The core body temperature is elevated to levels which denatures, debilitate or kill the pathogen. Unfortunately, there are circumstances when fever accelerates to temperature where the body is at risk of devastating its own cells and should be brought under control with suppressive medication. The novel feature of this invention is to stabilize fluctuating body temperature during fever via heat transfer mechanism (conduction and surface convective) using the natural plant-based formulation, which involves the negative feedback mechanism. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn leaves consist of taraxeryl acetate, β-sitosterol, high calcium and phosphorus contents. Hence, the synergistic of these compounds contributes to the antipyretic activity. Modern antipyretic drugs (e.g.: paracetamol) are associated with hepatotoxicity. Thus, the Fever-Coolant™ Sachet is an alternative of allopathic remedy to reduce fever especially in infants and children as it is derived from non toxic natural plant. This product is a water-based leaves extract which undergo a freeze dried method, where the active ingredients and minerals are very well preserved. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of the product is ensured and it is obviously very practical for the household use. Keywords: Fever, pyrexia, pathogens, surface convective, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, natural plant-based, negative feedback, sachet