A natural alternative

For years, pesticides have been in the spotlight for environmental reasons. Scientists are optimistic about discovering a natural way to repel unwanted insects effectively. They have recently uncovered a way of avoiding the use of pesticides and help save plants from attack by recreating a natural insect repellent. Scientists from the School of Chemistry and Rothamsted Research have, for the first time, created tiny molecules that mirror a naturally occurring smell known to repel insects.

Scientists made similar-smelling insect repellent molecules, by giving the enzyme, ((S)-germacrene D synthase), which creates the smell, alternative substrate molecules. The effectiveness of the aroma to function as an insect repellent was tested. For more information, click HERE.