First new insect repellent approved in 11 years smells like grapefruit
The compound nootkatone, a compound usually associated with grapefruits, has been approved for insect repellent. It has to smell better than the traditional deet or other chemical based repellents.
Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it had approved a new ingredient, called nootkatone, that repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks. The naturally occurring ingredient — which is responsible for the characteristic scent of grapefruit — was discovered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and developed into an insecticide. It’s also found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and is widely used in the cosmetic industry to make perfumes and colognes.
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