BJAR British Journal of Advanced Research BJAR 3153-709X Ivory and Finch Publishers 10.68263/BJAR-TBZ7MCN2 BJAR_SEP_26_061 Original Research Article Design and Development of Slow-Burning Mosquito and Other Insect-Repelling Aromatised Paraffinic Bee Wax Candle Abdulmumini, A. Yakubu Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. abu-mohd@live.com Baba Mohammed Abubakar-Sadiq https://orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5656-3932 Engineering and Technical Services Department, Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria. 10 10 2026 1 4

This study used the oldest and most conventional method for candle production: blending and heating (an endothermic reaction), followed by casting, the most critical part of the production process. The results showed that the candle produced lasted 14.20 hours at a burning rate of 0.2g/min. Moreover, the candle burns with a fragrant, sweet-smelling, forest-like aura with hints of honey. The repelling effect of the emitted sweet smell was tested on 11 mosquitoes: 6 were found dead, 3 were partially paralysed, and 2 were unaccounted for. The results showed that beeswax burns more slowly than other waxes, is safer for the environment and nontoxic to humans, and reduces air pollution during melting. The exact burn time depends on the candle's height and burn rate. This study aimed to develop a slow-burning, sweet-smelling candle to repel mosquitoes and other domestic insects, which are primary vectors for several dangerous parasitic, viral, and bacterial diseases, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

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