*The Management of the the Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, disclose the scientific feat attained with the N27 million Research Grant, under the 2020 National Research Fund of TETFund is part of efforts at ending the malaria scourge in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Prof. Zakari Ladan of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the Kaduna State University (KASU), and other co-researchers have developed a mosquito repellent fabric.

Adamu Bargo, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of KASU, in a statement issued Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, said the feat was part of efforts at ending the malaria scourge.

Bargo said that the product was the outcome of more than N27 million Research Grant, under the 2020 National Research Fund (NRF) of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The KASU Spokesman stated: “This is the first NRF/TETFund grant won by KASU as the host Institution, in collaboration with Bingham University and Vaal University of Technology, South Africa.”

He identified the research topic as “Development of an Eco-friendly Mosquito Repellent Fabric, Embedded with Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Vitex Negundo Bioactive Compounds”.

Bargo disclosed that Prof. Ladan, the principal researcher, with specialty in organic and synthetic chemistry, conducted the research alongside three others.

The PRO also said other researchers are re Dr. Bamidele Okoli, an organic chemist from Bingham University; Dr. Uju Ejike, a biochemist from Bingham University; and Dr. Mthunzi Fanyana, an expert in nanotechnology from Vaal University of Technology, South Africa.

According to him, nightgowns were produced from the fabric, rather than the continuous use of chemical insecticides or mosquito-treated nets with synthetic chemicals.

Bargo further explained that the fabric was embedded with nanoparticles encapsulated with Vitex Negundo bioactive compounds for the control of mosquitoes.

He stated: “The research is focused on producing a mosquito-repellent fabric, embedded with nanoparticles encapsulated with the active constituents of Vitex Negundo bioactive compounds.

“The type of mosquito-repellent fabrics developed from this research is in the form of sleeping nightgowns with other bio-products.

“They include bio-insecticide sprays and repellent creams, formulated with the plant’s bioactive constituent for the control of mosquito bites.”

The grant under the supervision of Prof. Ben Chindo, Director of Research and Development at KASU, has fulfilled TETFund’s requirements, having achieved the project’s objectives, said the Spokesman.

He as well said that the project had achieved its objectives based on the expected outcomes, including the production of the nightgowns from the mosquito repellent fabric.

Other outcomes, he said, included two international conferences, and the publishing of seven articles in high-impact factor journals and two conference proceedings.

Bargo explained “the researchers also patented a novel essential oil pilot plant that can isolate aromatic bioactive constituents from plants, useful in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and flavour industries.”

According to him, an NRF/ TETFund Workshop was also organised at Bingham University, Karu, on the topic: “Malaria Prevention and Control Measures, using Some Plant Bioactive Constituents Found in North Central Geo-political Zone of Nigeria”.

He noted: “Five different products were formulated, using isolated bioactive constituents of Vitex Negundo plant, namely; mosquito repellent cream and pure eucalyptus oil.”

Others include aerosol sprays, mosquito repellent spray fitted with fan and gloss, and water-based mosquito repellent paint, stated Bargo.