This is a chemical compound (PMD) which is also found in small quantities in leaves of the Australian tree Eucalyptus citriodora (which is now also cultivated in many warmer countries around the world). Its chemical properties are listed in Table 1. Although PMD in practice is produced by chemical synthesis, it is the only natural active ingredient that is permitted to be used as an insect repellent in the USA and Europe by the official authorities. Only in very high concentrations, the Eucalyptus citriodora extract reaches similar efficacy as DEET, but as other essential oils natural PMD has a high allergenic potential. Furthermore, the synthetically produced PMD has lower efficacy than natural one.
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Further Reading
Carrol SP, Loye J (2006) PMD, a registered botanical mosquito repellent with DEET-like efficacy. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 22:507–513
Drapeau J (2011) Green synthesis of para-menthane-3,8-diol from Eucalyptus citriodora: application for repellent products. C R Chim 14:629–635
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Mehlhorn, H. (2016). Para-Menthane-3,8-diol. In: Mehlhorn, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Parasitology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43978-4_4153
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