Skip to main content

DEPA (N, N-Diethyl Phenylacetamide): Commercial Journey of India’s First Indigenous Mosquito Repellent with Novel Properties

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Genetically Modified and other Innovative Vector Control Technologies

Abstract

DEPA (N,N-diethyl phenylacetamide) is less explored in India for its usage as an innovative mosquito repellent product in India. This article glances through the properties of DEPA, various kinds of formulations, the process of manufacturing, ingredients and equipment required, etc. to make a commercially viable formulation. In addition, the regulatory requirements and the current status of registration of DEPA in India, especially as a pharma compound, are briefly dealt with. More importantly, how to access the Technology from DRDO with special reference to TOT and how successful the commercialization of DEPA in India for the supply to Indian Armed forces and also to common public. The USPs of DEPA are also briefly touched upon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Kalyanasundaram M (1982) A preliminary report on the synthesis and testing of mosquito repellents. Indian J Med Res 76:190–194

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalyanasundaram M, Nisha M (2006) N,N-Diethyl Phenylacetamide (DEPA): a safe and effective repellent for personal protection against hematophagous arthropods. J Med Entomol 43(3):518525

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandasamy C (2010a) The success of DEPA, an excellent mosquito repellent from DRDO. In International symposium on recent advances in ecology and management of vectors and vector borne diseases, 1–3 Dec 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandasamy C (2010b) DEPA (Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide) – an innovative mosquito repellent. In 5th conference of Medical Arthropodology, 18–19 Oct 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandasamy C (2012) DEPA cream – a new mosquito repellent from DRDO. In 6th conference of Medical Anthropodology, 18–19 Oct 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandasamy C (2013) Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide (DEPA) repellency against Aedes aegypti – brain storming conference on dengue scenario in India, 25–26 Jul 2013

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao SS, Rao KM, Ramachandran PK (1988) Chemistry, efficacy and toxicology of insect repellents. J Sci Ind Res 47:722–735

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao SS, Agarwal MK, Rao KM, Swamy RV (1989a) Study on dermal toxicity and urinary metabolites of the new insect repellent N,N-diethylphenylacetamide in rabbits. Toxicol Lett 45:67–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao SS, Swamy RV, Ramachandran PK (1989b) Toxicity and metabolism of a new insect repellent N,N-diethylphenylacetamide in mice, rats and guinea pigs on cutaneous application. Toxicology 58:81–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rao KM, Prakash S, Kumar S, Suryanarayana MVS, Bhagwat MM, Gharia MM, Bhavsar RB (1991) N,N-diethylphenylacetainide in treated fabrics as a repellent against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol 28(1):142–146. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/28.1.142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayaraghavan R, Rao SS, Suryanarayana MVS, Swamy RV (1991) Acute and sub acute inhalation toxicity studies of a new broad spectrum insect repellent N,N-diethyl phenyl acetamide. Toxicology 67:85–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I gratefully acknowledge Dr R. Vijayaraghavan, Director (retired.), DRDO-DRDE, Gwalior, Dr M. Kalyanasundaram, Scientist (retired), ICMR-VCRC, Puducherry, and Mr. R Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Ramcides CropScience Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, for their support and inputs given for this article on DEPA.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kandasamy, C. (2021). DEPA (N, N-Diethyl Phenylacetamide): Commercial Journey of India’s First Indigenous Mosquito Repellent with Novel Properties. In: Tyagi, B.K. (eds) Genetically Modified and other Innovative Vector Control Technologies. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2964-8_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics