Page 65 - University of Pretoria RESEARCH REVIEW 2016

for the production of personal protection items to reduce outdoor malaria transmission in resource- limited countries.
A bi-component polymer yarn was developed with
a core containing a volatile repellent active, and
a sheath layer that reduces the rate at which the active ingredient is released into the atmosphere. The yarn can be knitted into personal protection clothing items such as repellent socks or ankle covers that can be used to reduce mosquito bites on the ankles and feet. Initial mosquito repellent properties are excellent. The long-term performance of these mosquito-repelling socks was demonstrated via
ageing tests, which showed that the repellence effect lasts for more than eight months, and is retained after twenty washes.
The concept of trapping DEET and slowly releasing it into the environment using bi-component filaments should allow for the production of textile-based personal protection items to reduce outdoor malaria transmission. The concept can, in future,
be considered for weaving or knitting into fabrics or for use in netting. This technology is currently in the commercialisation process and shows the effective integration of research into solutions for real-world problems.
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