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Room Test for Mosquito Repellents
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Quick understanding about test
Room Test for Mosquito Repellents
- Aedes
- Anopheles
- Culex
- With Volunteers: Test evaluates mosquito repellent efficacy using human volunteers in controlled rooms. The treated group applies the repellent, while the untreated group does not. Both groups monitor mosquito landing and biting rates for comparison. Results determine product effectiveness against specific mosquito species. know more
- Without Volunteers: The test product is placed in a room with a known number of mosquitoes for a specified duration. The knockdown effect is recorded at regular intervals. Mortality rate is then determined after 24 hours know more here
- Ensures regulatory compliance.
- Aids in product refinement and innovation.
- CPT: Two or more bites on treated areas or one followed by another within 30 minutes marks the end of protection.
- Knockdown/Mortality: Knockdown efficacy >80% and 24-hour mortality >90%.
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Abstract
The Room test for mosquito repellents is a test method designed to assess the efficacy of repellent formulations under controlled conditions that closely replicate real-world environments. Unlike the Arm-in-Cage test, where repellent efficacy is tested in a confined space, the room test allows for more natural interaction between mosquitoes and the human body in the presence of a repellent. This step provides a more realistic evaluation of the repellent’s effectiveness and also minimizes the risks of exposure of volunteers to potential mosquito-borne diseases.
The entomologists of Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS), meticulously perform the room test to measure the mosquito-landing and biting rates on the human skin after applying a topical repellent.
Test Products
Test Mosquito Species
Room Test Procedure
- With volunteers
- Without volunteers
Test procedure for room test with volunteers:
- This test method involves the use of human volunteers to evaluate the effectiveness of the product against specific mosquito species. The number of volunteers and the number of species to be analyzed will vary depending on the guidelines specific to the concerned region/country and the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A known number of female mosquitoes are released into the controlled environment where the test is conducted.
- For mosquito repellent products such as creams, lotions and sprays, the mosquito repellents are applied to the participant’s forearms as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The rest of the body is covered with protective equipment before entering the room.
- Participants monitor the number of mosquitos landing on the treated areas and the number of bites (if any) for a specified duration, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A second set of volunteers repeats the same activity without applying any repellent.
- The biting activity and the mosquito-landing rates on the treated arms are compared with the untreated arms to evaluate the efficacy of the repellent.
- For repellent products such as incense sticks, candles, and other similar products, the products are lit and placed at a defined distance from the walls and the volunteers, as stated by the standard guidelines followed and the manufacturer’s instructions.
- The biting activity and the mosquito-landing rates on the uncovered arms of volunteers in the room having lighted incense sticks, candles, and other similar products are compared with biting and landing rates in the room without the repellent products.
Test procedure for room test without volunteers
- In this method, the test product is placed in the room.
- A known number of mosquitoes are released into the room for a specified time duration. (The duration of the test depends on the particular guidelines being followed and the manufacturer’s instructions)
- Within the exposure time, the knockdown effect of the repellent is recorded.
- The number of mosquitoes knocked down (unable to fly or move normally) is counted at regular intervals.
- After the exposure period, the mosquitoes are transferred to a clean environment and are provided with 10% sucrose solution. The mortality rate is determined after 24 hours.
Passing criteria
(Note: These efficacy values may vary depending on the specific guidelines and regulatory standards followed in a particular region.)
Regulatory requirements for Room Test for mosquito repellents
- Ethical considerations
The test should follow all ethical guidelines, including informed consent from all participants. The participants in the test must be fully informed about the nature and risks involved with the test. - Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliance
The test shall be carried out in conformity with the GLP practices, ensuring uniformity, reliability and repeatability in testing and reporting. - Data submission
The results of the room test, along with all the related documentation such as informed consent and test protocols, must be forwarded to the regulatory bodies for review.
Precautionary Measures to follow during Room Test
Participant safety
- Ensure participants are in good health and do not have any known allergic reactions to insect bites. Also, obtain informed consent from the subjects.
- Provide appropriate protective clothing to cover all exposed parts of the body except the test site, such as the forearms.
Disease prevention
- Use laboratory-bred mosquitoes that are free from pathogens to eliminate the risk of disease transmission.
Controlled environment
- Laboratory conditions such as temperature, humidity and light must be carefully monitored to maintain consistency in test results.
- Always keep the room sealed to prevent mosquitoes from escaping.
Importance of Room Test for Mosquito Repellents
Benefits of Conducting Room Test for Mosquito Repellents
- Regulatory compliance: Testing provides data required to meet efficacy and safety standards thus making regulatory approval processes smoother.
- Market competitiveness: Room testing helps scientifically validate the effectiveness of a repellent thus providing manufacturers with a competitive advantage in crowded markets.
- Product refinement and development: Room test for mosquito repellents offers insights that allow for continuous improvement and innovation in repellent formulations.
- Consumer trust: Rigorous testing and validation help manufacturers develop high-quality products, leading to enhanced consumer confidence and loyalty.
Related test methods available at MIS
- Arm-in-cage test
- Tunnel test
- Olfactometer test
- Chamber Test/Peet-Grady Chamber Test
- WHO cone test
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
Room test is used to evaluate the efficacy of the repellent formulations against free-flying mosquitoes in a controlled room space.
Room test is used to test mosquito-repellent products such as repellent-treated fabrics, sprays, creams, candles, incense sticks, and lotions, among others.
The turnaround time for the Room test is 3-4 weeks.
The effectiveness of mosquito repellent can be tested using various methods, including the arm-in-cage test and room test. In these tests, human subjects or surfaces treated with repellents are exposed to mosquitoes and the repellent’s ability to prevent bites or reduce mosquito landing rates is observed.
A typical Room Test usually involves approximately 50 female mosquitoes.
The room test is indispensable because it gives a realistic evaluation of how the repellent will perform in practical conditions. It helps ensure the product’s effectiveness, safety and compliance with regulatory standards, ultimately protecting public health.
In a Room Test, the activity of mosquitoes is measured by counting those mosquitoes that have landed or attempted to feed on the treated skin or surface. The duration of mosquito contact and the number of bites form the basis for the repellency assessment.
Some of the essential factors that are controlled during a Room Test include temperature, humidity, light conditions, the released number of mosquitoes and the duration of exposure.
Room Tests guarantee high levels of accuracy since these tests simulate field conditions within controlled environments. This accuracy makes them highly reliable for testing the product’s effectiveness.
Room tests are conducted in a controlled indoor environment where the test parameters can be precisely controlled, whereas a field test is conducted outdoors under natural conditions, providing a broader assessment of the repellent’s performance in diverse environments.
Yes, both aerosol and lotion-based mosquito repellents can be subjected to a Room Test. Tests can be adapted to assess various application methods and formulations.
Yes, the room test can be used to test both chemical and natural mosquito repellents.
Yes, generally, international regulatory bodies accept the results of the Room Test, provided the test is conducted according to recognized standards and guidelines. The test results can be used to support the registration and approval of the product.
Room Tests generally follow universally accepted standards set by organizations such as the WHO or other relevant regulatory bodies, for consistency, reliability and adherence to safety and efficacy guidelines.
The initial test results of a room test can be used to develop and fine-tune repellent products to enhance their efficacy. These test results can also be used to prove the performance of a product while marketing.
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