A mosquito repellent lotion from the leaves of atis (sweet sop) was invented by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD). PCHRD is one of the five sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), according to them, the atis lotion mosquito repellent was created using the extracts of atis leaves mixed with other locally accessible materials. According to PCHRD, the atis lotion is made of 10.125 percent mineral oil, 1.02 percent sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, nine percent propylene glycol, 0.22 percent methyl paraben, 0.135 percent propyl paraben, 70 percent water, and 10 percent plant extract.
Atis leaves, unripe fruit, and the seeds of atis (Anona squamosa) contain vermicidal and insecticidal properties. It is an inexpensive alternative in avoiding mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and filariasis.
The atis lotion mosquito repellent is a personal care product used in preventing mosquito bites which cause itchiness, inflammation and discomfort to individuals, the PCHRD said.
Another research proves that atis fruit has anti-microbial activity that fights some pathogenic microorganisms. S aureus and S pneumonia are plant extracts that may serve as valuable sources of compounds with therapeutic antibiotic potentials. [via osist.dost.gov.ph]