Compositions and methods for repelling blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks and mites
Inventors
Meepagala, KUMUDINI M. • Bernier, Ulrich R.
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA
Publication Number
US-9763444-B2
Publication Date
2017-09-19
Expiration Date
2033-03-05
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Abstract
Chromene derivatives based on a chromene amide isolated from Amyris texana. Also disclosed are compositions containing chromene derivatives (synthetic or natural) based on a chromene amide isolated from Amyris texana. Also methods for repelling blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks and mites involving treating (or exposing) an object (e.g., mammals such as humans) or area (e.g., a surface such as human skin) with a blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks and mites repelling effective amount of at least one compound selected from chromene derivatives (synthetic or natural) based on a chromene amide isolated from Amyris texana.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses chromene derivatives based on a chromene amide isolated from Amyris texana, as well as compositions containing these chromene derivatives, whether synthetic or natural. These compositions are used in methods for repelling blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks, and mites by treating or exposing an object, such as mammals including humans, or an area, such as human skin, with an effective amount of at least one compound from specified chromene derivatives.
The problem being solved relates to the need for new mosquito repellents due to health concerns and limitations of existing repellents like DEET, which has been reported as a neurotoxin. Diseases like dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti, have no specific treatments or vaccines, making bite prevention through repellents a crucial control method. The invention addresses this by providing compounds with higher duration of repellent action and potency against mosquitoes and other blood-sucking pests than DEET.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes four independent claims centered on methods for repelling blood-sucking and biting pests using compositions comprising specific chromene derivatives.
Method for repelling pests using chromene derivatives
A method for repelling blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks, and mites by treating an object or area with a composition containing an effective amount of at least one compound selected from a group of chromene derivatives characterized by specified substitutions at positions R1, R2, R3, and R4.
Composition comprising chromene derivatives with defined substitutions
A composition comprising at least one compound selected from the specified chromene derivatives with particular substitutions at positions R1, R2, R3, and R4, optionally including a carrier or carrier material, for use in repelling pests.
Repellent method using compound with R1=CH2OH and R2, R3, R4=H
A pest repelling method wherein the compound used has the substitution pattern R1=CH2OH and R2, R3, R4=H among the chromene derivatives described.
Repellent method using compound with R1=CH2OH, R2 and R3=H, and R4=Cl
A pest repelling method wherein the compound used has the substitution pattern R1=CH2OH, R2 and R3=H, and R4=Cl among the chromene derivatives described.
The patent claims cover methods of pest repelling based on treating objects or areas with compositions having specific chromene derivatives characterized by defined substitution patterns, emphasizing compounds with particular hydroxymethyl and chloro substitutions for enhanced repellent activity.
Stated Advantages
The chromene derivatives exhibit significantly higher duration of protection and greater repellent activity against mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, than the standard repellent DEET.
The compounds provide a safer alternative to DEET, which has potential neurotoxic effects, addressing the need for repellents without such side effects.
Documented Applications
Repelling blood-sucking and biting insects including various species of mosquitoes (Aedes, Culex, Anopheles), sand flies, bed bugs, owl gnats, blackflies, buffalo gnats, biting flies, tsetse flies, horseflies, house flies, meat flies, flies causing myiasis, bugs, lice, louse flies, and fleas.
Repelling blood-feeding ticks such as Ornithodorus moubata, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis, Boophilus microplus, Amblyomma americanum, and Amblyomma hebreum.
Repelling mites including Sarcoptes scabiei and Dermanyssus gallinae.
Application to mammals including humans via treating skin, clothing, textiles, and environmental areas such as gardens, lawns, tents, barns, homes, storage containers, packaging materials, bedding, and treated surfaces.
Use in various formulation types such as solutions, emulsions, gels, ointments, pastes, creams, powders, sticks, sprays, aerosols, granules, oily spraying agents, and slow release formulations.
Dispensing repellent compounds in vapor form (e.g., aerosols) for slow sustained release into environments.
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