Annual Life Science Research Symposium of Obafemi Awolowo University Showcases Breakthrough in eco-friendly Malaria Prevention repellent

By Tosin Clegg

Ile-Ife, Osun State, at a time when malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest health burdens, a recent research conference and symposium hosted by the Public Health Research Group, Faculty of Life Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has brought fresh hope. On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, experts, students, and stakeholders gathered both in person and virtually to hear groundbreaking presentations on malaria prevention delivered by Adeyemi Adeesan Bamidele, a chemist, pharmaceutical scientist and public health innovator from the Department of Chemistry, university of Connecticut, storrs, CT, USA. The event attracted a diverse audience of researchers, public health experts, graduate students, and policymakers united by a common goal: finding sustainable and community-friendly ways to combat mosquito-borne diseases, especially malaria.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria continues to exact a devastating toll, with an estimated 228 million cases and 405,000 deaths worldwide in 2018, the majority occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Children under five accounted for 67% of all malaria deaths, and pregnant women remain among the most vulnerable. Beyond its human cost, the financial burden is staggering. WHO estimates that malaria drains billions of dollars annually from affected economies through treatment costs, lost productivity, and long-term health complications. In Nigeria alone, the disease kills approximately 15,000 people annually, with both rural and urban populations at risk. For many governments, malaria-related expenses strain already limited health budgets, hampering investments in infrastructure, education, and other public services.

During his virtual presentation, Adeyemi Adeesan Bamidele showcased findings from his research and those of his team which was a recent study published in GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, titled “Promoting health: Introducing an eco-friendly herbal mosquito repellent extracted from local sweet orange peels”. Their research focuses on developing an eco-friendly mosquito repellent derived from sweet orange peels, offering a safer, more affordable, and sustainable alternative to chemical repellents. Unlike synthetic products containing DEET and other harsh compounds which have been linked to respiratory irritation, skin reactions, and environmental hazards. The plant-based formulation leverages natural compounds such as limonene and linalool. These compounds possess proven antibacterial, antioxidant, and insect-repelling properties, making them effective against a variety of mosquito species. The innovation is particularly suited for low-income and rural communities, where access to expensive repellents or insecticide-treated nets is limited. Because the raw materials, orange peels are locally available and often discarded as waste, production costs remain low, allowing for scalable, community-level manufacturing.

Public health experts at the symposium highlighted that the significance of Bamidele’s innovations extends beyond academic achievement. If widely adopted, this technology could help reduce malaria transmission rates, thereby saving tens of thousands of lives annually and allowing governments to reallocate millions of dollars currently spent on treatment and emergency response. Moreover, by reducing reliance on chemical insecticides, the approach could mitigate environmental contamination and slow the development of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations in emerging challenges in malaria-endemic regions. Stakeholder in attendance at the research symposium which comprised of leading entomologist at OAU, lauded the work as “a shining example of how indigenous resources can be transformed into world-class public health tools.” International participants also took note, with some suggesting pilot programs in other malaria-endemic regions such as Southeast Asia and South America.

While further large-scale trials are necessary to validate effectiveness across diverse environments, Bamidele’s research represents a hopeful stride toward meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which targets the end of malaria by 2030. As one participant put it: “This is not just about science, it’s about restoring health, dignity, and productivity to millions of Africans.” For communities still haunted by the relentless buzz of the mosquito, innovations like this may be the turning point in a centuries-long battle.