Development of Fuel Briquettes for Knockdown of Mosquitoes Using Natural Products

Abstract

Although there has been fruitful effort in managing most of the diseases that affect humankind, some of them like malaria are still a major death cause in many parts of the World. This necessitates the development of alternative ways of curbing the problem. On the other hand, energy plays a vital role in facilitating and sustaining development in the World over, a fact that has led to great increase in demand for energy. This has in turn resulted into practices such as rampant deforestation, which affect the environment adversely. Previous studies have recorded great energy supply shortages and high cost and therefore a need to diversify these sources. This study focused on development of dual purpose fuel briquettes that provide heat energy when burnt and also knockdown (KD) mosquitoes in the course of burning. The briquettes were developed using jatropha seed husks (source of energy), cow dung (binder) and pyrethrin (insecticide). The jatropha seed husks were collected, ground into fine powder, carbonated and then mixed with cow dung. Varying amounts of pyrethrin was added to the mixture and then hand-pressed to form briquettes.The briquettes were then tested for their ability to knockdown mosquitoes at Kenya Pyrethrum Board laboratory. Using a bomb calorimeter, their calorific value was determined and the results were analysed using the ANOVA.