Agro-processing opportunities identified through a novel mosquito repellent from a medicinal plant

Abstract

Traditional healers provide CSIR scientists with indigenous knowledge (IK) that stimulates research and can eventually lead to discovery and development of new herbal remedies. The rights of these providers of IK, to share in future benefits that might be derived from commercial exploitation of any such products, are protected through a Memorandum of Understanding (September 1999) and a Benefit Sharing Agreement (February 2003) signed between the CSIR and a Traditional Healers Committee. Through this research programme, a novel mosquito repellent was discovered, based on biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. The methodology and results are discussed in the poster.