Fighting Mosquito Bite: Topical Repellent Effectiveness Tested with Arm in Cage
Mosquitoes, especially those of the Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex species, are disturbing plagues in urban areas. They not only disturb but can also spread deadly diseases such as hemorrhagic fever, chikungunya, malaria, and filariasis.
The spread of disease by mosquitoes has also increased the economic burden significantly through the high costs of medical treatment to be spent, the loss of productivity of infected people, as well as the costs necessary for control efforts.
In addition to the direct control of mosquito populations, personal protection efforts have also become crucial in reducing mosquito bite risks, one of which is the use of topical repellents that can be applied directly to human skin. On the market, topical repellents are available in a variety of forms, such as creams, lotions, sprays, and gels. There are several types of active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridine, eucalyptus lemon oil, or IR3535, that can effectively prevent mosquitoes from approaching and biting.
Because there is a wide range of product options on the market and there is the possibility of new manufacturers starting to produce topical repellents, a rigorous and thorough efficacy test is required to determine the effectiveness of a topical repellent product in protecting consumers from mosquito bites.
In addition, the results of product testing data will strengthen consumer confidence in a product because valid and standardized testing guarantees that the product is truly effective and safe to use.
Generally speaking, testing the effectiveness of topical repellent can be done using both laboratory and field methods. Laboratory testing is usually done with more controlled environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and brightness, so it can be performed faster than field testing, as it does not depend on weather conditions or other external factors.
In addition, laboratory tests are usually used first for the initial evaluation of the product before conducting more expensive and complex field trials.
One of the most popular laboratory testing methods that is still in use today is arm-in-cage testing. (AIC).
Arm in Cage Method: A Standardized Clinical Trial for Mosquito Repellent
In the Arm in Cage method, mosquitoes are placed in a special cage or room that is designed to allow mosquitoes to be exposed to areas of skin that have been treated with topical repellent.
The basement is usually made of a 30x30x30 iron frame that is covered by a woven fabric with a small hole size that is generally made of synthetic materials such as polyester or nylon.
Environmental conditions inside the cage, such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity, can be adjusted to mimic the ideal conditions for mosquitoes and ensure that mosquitoes are active and responsive.
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In this test, the mosquitoes used were female mosquitoes that had been pre-fed with sugar for 24 hours before the test to provoke hunger. The number of females used in one test was usually in the range of 20 to 50.
This amount already provides quite representative and reliable data for evaluating the effectiveness of repellants. However, the amount used may still vary depending on the design of the experiment, the size of the cage, and the purpose of the research. Some studies may use more female mosquitoes, especially if trials are done on new products that have not been well tested.
The test subject is a human who has been treated with topical repellent on one arm, right or left, with the other arm serving as a control that is not treated at all. Before one of the arms is treated and placed in a cage, the arm must first be cleaned with soap and clean water to remove dirt and oil that may affect the test results. After drying, topical repellent can be applied directly and evenly to the area of the arm to be tested.
The hand that's been treated is then put into a cage. Some of the parameters observed and calculated during testing to ensure that topical repellents work well include the number of female mosquitoes landing (frequency) on the arm surface and the duration of repellent protection.
The frequency of interaction between mosquitoes and arm surfaces is small, or even none, indicating the success of repellants in blocking mosquitoes. The longer the duration of protection, the better the topical repellent's ability to provide effective protection over longer periods of time.
Topical repellent should provide effective protection for a fairly long period of time, usually between 2 and 8 hours, depending on the type of active ingredient. The effectiveness of the product should be consistent with the necessary re-application, and better products often do not require repeated application on too frequent skin.
So overall, the Arm-in-Cage method (AIC) offers a highly effective approach to evaluating the effectiveness of topical repellent in protecting humans from mosquito bites. By enabling strict control over environmental conditions and directly monitoring the interaction of mosquitoes with areas of skin exposed to topical repellent, this method provides fairly accurate and relevant data on the performance of a product.
IML Research: Leading Companies in Repellent Testing
Get reliable and accurate mosquito repellent testing results with a team of experienced experts at IML Research. IML Research, as a leader in mosquite repelling testing, offers standardized, accurate testing services such as the Arm in Cage Method (AIC).
This method allows you to determine with certainty the effectiveness of your mosquito repellent. Contact IML Research today for more information about our service.
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