Liabilities of essential oils as insect repellents

• Published in: Current opinion in environmental science & health 2024-08, Vol.40, p.100564, Article 100564
• Main Authors: Farina, Priscilla, Conti, Barbara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: allergen; chemotype; hormesis; nanoformulation; risk assessment; sensory analysis
• ISSN: 2468-5844; 2468-5844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2024.100564

The applications of essential oils (EOs) as insect repellents mainly focus on the protection against mosquito bites and food ravages by stored product pests. EOs are praised for their reduced environmental impact and assortment, but such assets often become liabilities. In this review, are underlined the most critical aspects related to the use of EOs as insect repellents, including their instability, composition variability, hormetic effect, olfactory impact, health risks, and economic challenges. Furthermore, we explored some possible solutions implemented in the last ten years to overcome the different limitations and provided an overview of the future challenges we must face to ensure the desirable diffusion of such products of vegetal origin in effective insect pests’ control. [Display omitted] •Essential oils (EOs) are effective insect repellents but with some liabilities.•EOs instability can be overcome with encapsulation and emulsification techniques.•EOs repellency is related to the chemical composition and dose applied.•EOs olfactory expression must be evaluated to meet consumers' approval.•The current supply chain of EOs as repellents is hampering their diffusion.