Head Lice Remain a Common Health Problem
Head lice live on the human scalp and hair and survive by sucking blood. Their presence can cause persistent itching, scalp irritation, hair damage, and secondary infections caused by scratching. Head lice can spread quickly through direct contact and indirectly through shared combs, hats, clothing, pillows, and bedding.
The problem is particularly relevant in densely populated environments where close physical contact is common. The article cites previous literature indicating that the prevalence of head lice infestation in Indonesia during 2020–2021 ranged from 29.3% to 88.9%, with high rates reported in Islamic boarding schools and among children aged approximately 3–11 years.
Conventional head lice treatments commonly rely on chemical insecticides, including substances such as malathion, permethrin, carbaryl, and lindane. However, inappropriate or prolonged use can contribute to resistance and may cause unwanted effects. These concerns have encouraged researchers to explore plant-based alternatives that are accessible and potentially less dependent on synthetic insecticides.
Starfruit, locally known as belimbing wuluh, and lime are two plants that have attracted attention because they contain bioactive compounds associated with insecticidal activity. Starfruit contains compounds including phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, while lime contains several active compounds, including alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, and saponins.
How the Experiment Was Conducted
Rahmawati and Ghofur used an experimental design to directly compare the effects of starfruit juice and lime juice on adult head lice. The study was conducted in June 2026, using head lice obtained from children at Pondok Pesantren Tahfidz Al-Qur’an Al Fatah in Wonokerto District, Pekalongan Regency. Laboratory testing was carried out at the parasitology laboratory of Akademi Analis Kesehatan Pekalongan.
The research received ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of LPPM Universitas Muhammadiyah Pekajangan Pekalongan under approval number 201/KEP-UMPP/VI/2026. A total of 100 adult head lice were included in the experiment. The lice were selected based on physical criteria, including active movement, complete body morphology, and intact legs.
The researchers prepared starfruit and lime juices at three concentrations: 11%, 12%, and 13%. Each treatment was repeated three times, with five lice used in each repetition. Ten additional lice were used as controls. The juices were applied using a spray method, and researchers recorded the number of dead lice and the time required for mortality, with observations continuing for a maximum of 45 minutes.
The researchers then compared average mortality times across concentrations. A statistical analysis known as a probit test was used to estimate the concentration capable of killing 50% of the test population, known as LC50.
Starfruit Produced Faster Mortality
The results showed that increasing the concentration of both fruit juices generally reduced the time required to kill the head lice.
For starfruit juice, the average mortality time was:
- 11% concentration: 39 minutes
- 12% concentration: 36 minutes
- 13% concentration: 33.33 minutes
For lime juice, the average mortality time was:
- 11% concentration: 45 minutes
- 12% concentration: 43.66 minutes
- 13% concentration: 37.66 minutes.
The LC50 analysis produced an estimated optimal concentration of 12.11% for starfruit juice, with an interval of 11.15%–12.56%. For lime juice, the corresponding LC50 concentration was 12.19%, with an interval of 11.99%–12.40%.
The researchers attributed the insecticidal effects to naturally occurring compounds in the fruits. Alkaloids can interfere with insect nervous systems, flavonoids can affect respiratory processes, and saponins can damage cell membranes and interfere with nutrient absorption. Other compounds, including tannins, terpenoids, and essential oils, may also contribute to insect mortality.
Rahmawati and Ghofur concluded that starfruit juice was more effective than lime juice against adult head lice under the experimental conditions. Their findings indicate that the effectiveness of both materials increased as the concentration increased.
Potential for Natural Head Lice Control
The findings are relevant to communities seeking accessible plant-based alternatives for managing head lice. Starfruit and lime are widely available fruits, and the study provides experimental evidence that their juices can affect adult Pediculus humanus capitis.
However, the results should not be interpreted as proof that applying concentrated starfruit or lime juice directly to a person's scalp is safe or clinically effective. The experiment was conducted in vitro on adult lice rather than on humans. The study also did not test the effectiveness of the treatments against head lice eggs, which can play an important role in persistent infestations.
The researchers therefore recommend further investigation using chemical analysis techniques such as chromatography to identify the specific active compounds responsible for killing the lice. Future experiments should also examine the effects on lice eggs to provide a more comprehensive assessment.
For public health, the research offers an early scientific basis for exploring locally available plant materials as potential components of natural insect-control products. For researchers and product developers, the findings could support further work on standardized formulations, safety testing, dosage determination, and effectiveness against different stages of the head louse life cycle.
The researchers' conclusion is clear: under the laboratory conditions tested, starfruit juice was more effective than lime juice in killing adult head lice at equivalent concentrations. The result provides a starting point for further research rather than a recommendation for immediate clinical use.
Author Profile
Arlin Syifa Rahmawati is affiliated with Akademi Analis Kesehatan Pekalongan and conducted research in the area of laboratory health science and parasitology, focusing in this article on the effectiveness of natural fruit-based treatments against head lice.
Abdul Ghofur is affiliated with Akademi Analis Kesehatan Pekalongan and contributed to research concerning laboratory health science, parasitology, and the evaluation of natural materials against parasitic organisms.
The journal article does not state the authors' academic degrees, so no degree information is added here.
Research Source
Article Title: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Starfruit Juice and Lime Juice on Head Lice Mortality (Pediculus Humanus Capitis)
Authors: Arlin Syifa Rahmawati and Abdul Ghofur
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)
Publication: Volume 5, No. 7, 2026, pp. 1849–1860
Official Journal URL: https://journalfjst.my.id/index.php/fjst
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