Ecological Anti-Vector Knitwear: <i>Sida rhombifolia</i> Impregnated with <i>Aloe vera</i> Gel for Sustainable Control of Insect Vectors

Abstract

The vector control strategy, focused on the use of impregnated mosquito nets, has clearly led to a clear reduction in the incidence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa . However, the predominant curtains on the market, made from polyethylene and polyester treated with products from the pyrethroid and piperonyl butoxide family, have notable disadvantages. These textiles, in addition to generating undesirable dermatological repercussions (irritation and itching), prove to be non-biodegradable, thus contributing significantly to environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to produce an ecological knitted fabric based on Sida rhombifolia filament treated with Aloe vera gel, with a view to evaluating its effectiveness against insects. The retting method with stagnant fresh water was chosen to extract these fibers. We observe the appearance of peaks 2852 and 2050 after maceration of the fiber with aloe vera gel. The disappearance of peak 1029 which indicated the stretching of the C-O-C bonds of the cellulose shows the modification of the latter. It allows us to see that the AV gel-impregnated knitted fabric washed three times does not contain the bonds of the zone: C-H between 2700 Cm-1 and 3300 Cm-1; O-H around 3500 Cm -1 for phenols and 2800 Cm-1 for carboxylic acids. It appears that for knitting to be treated with aloe vera gel, we must limit ourselves to 2 washes. In the remainder of this research, the behavior of Anopheles in the face of this ecological knitting will be assessed through the tests recommended by the WHO.