Dr. Bayo Aluko-Olokun, a Facial Surgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, may have discovered a cure for Malaria.
Dr. Olokun made the discovery after conducting studies at the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Lagos
His findings revealed that the adult human facial sebum (oil) possesses potent mosquito resistant properties.
The doctor, who made this known in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, disclosed that his discovery was published in the Volume two, 2016, issue of the Research Journal of the University of Mauritius.
On how he came about his finding, he said: “Evidence of mosquito bite is often seen on the face of children in the third world. This is rarely seen in adults as adults produce copious facial skin sebum in contradistinction to children.
“Five live mosquitoes were introduced into the bottle and the highest number of mosquitoes standing on each piece of paper at any point in time was noted over 50 minutes.
“The total length of time in seconds, during which there was at least one insect on each piece of paper was also noted and comparison of the results was then done.
“Up to three mosquitoes perched on the uncoated paper at the same time while none did on the sebum-coated paper.
“The total period of time during which at least one mosquito was found perching on the uncoated paper was 2851 seconds out of 3000, while zero seconds was recorded for the sebum-coated paper out of 3000.
“The results of this preliminary study appear to indicate that human facial sebum holds promise as a mosquito repellent and this calls for further study of this phenomenon.”
Dr. Olokun further revealed that the Department of Chemistry and Entomology, University of Ilorin, is currently carrying out further studies on the Sebum.
He also urged the international committee and stakeholders to key into the discovery by conducting advanced studies on the Sebum.