Da-Yeh University College of Biotechnology and Bioresources Dean Hsieh Chang-wei develops "Wuga Mosquito Repellent Spray" and obtains patent

(Taiwan TB News Network / Reporter Liu Chih-cheng) As the dengue fever outbreak continues to spread, everyone turns pale at the mention of mosquitoes! Hsieh Chang-wei, Dean of the College of Biotechnology and Bioresources at Da-Yeh University, three years ago mentored the Xinyi Township Farmers' Association in developing the "Wuga Mosquito Repellent Spray" using mountain pepper, which has been widely praised in the market. Dean Hsieh further developed a sustained-release mosquito repellent product that only needs to be kept in a clothing pocket to have a mosquito-repelling effect, and the related technology has already obtained a patent.

Yeh Jen-hsiang, a first-year master's student in the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry who participated in the development of the Xinyi Township Farmers' Association's "Wuga Mosquito Repellent Spray," pointed out that he lives in Nantou and has heard since childhood from his grandfather and grandmother that indigenous people would carry mountain pepper (maqaw) on their bodies to repel mosquitoes when going out, which gave him the idea to develop an essential oil-type mosquito repellent spray using mountain pepper. The "Wuga Mosquito Repellent Spray" uses essential oil extracted from mountain pepper, combined with ingredients such as hinoki cypress, cajeput, mint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass, and has a very good effect on repelling mosquitoes, especially black flies. It is made non-toxically and without chemical reactions, making it safer to use, and there is no fear of children accidentally swallowing it. The laboratory is currently developing a capsule-type mosquito repellent product that combines mosquito repellency and sun protection functions; simply place the capsule in a pressurized spray nozzle device and it can be sprayed onto the skin.

Hsieh Chang-wei, Dean of the College of Biotechnology and Bioresources at Da-Yeh University, stated that Taiwan's summer climate is hot and humid with many mosquitoes and insects, so mosquito repellent spray and sunscreen are essential summer products for the public; however, the manufacturing processes of both products mostly use chemicals, and mixed use may produce side effects. On the other hand, after opening, mosquito repellent spray or sunscreen will gradually oxidize and deteriorate due to contact with air, which prompted him to further design a microcapsule structure, placing mosquito repellent made from natural essential oils inside it, and releasing the mosquito repellent inside through temperature control to achieve a mosquito-repelling function.

Hsieh Chang-wei, Dean of the College of Biotechnology and Bioresources at Da-Yeh University, reminded the public that Taiwan is located in a subtropical region, and its geographical position and climatic conditions are very suitable for disease-carrying mosquitoes to inhabit, so disease prevention is a very important task in the field of public health. Although mosquito repellent spray can avoid mosquito bites, self-protection and household cleaning are also very important. Homes can install window screens and screen doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering indoors. If there is standing water in containers inside or outside the house, the water should be poured out. If it is a container that must hold water, such as a vase, the container can be cleaned with diluted bleach to reduce the possibility of disease-carrying mosquitoes breeding.