ANTI-TERMITE ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN PLANTS AGAINST ODONTOTERMES OBESUS

Abstract

Termites are found throughout the world and are a perennial economical issue. Some plants are bestowed with anti-termite compounds which prevent termite infestation. In our study, we examined the anti-termite potential of four plant species namely, Achyranthes asapera, Sida acuta, Syzygium cumini and Terminalia arjuna against Odontotermes obesus. Acetone, chloroform, n-hexane, methanol and distilled water extracts were prepared, their qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constitution was determined. Additional qualitative assays were conducted on the extracts for diterpenes, oils, phytosterols and terpenoids. Methanol extracts were found to be more diverse in phytoconstituents followed by chloroform and acetone extracts. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, total phenols and tannins were found in higher quantities in S. cumini and T. arjuna as compared to A. aspera and S. acuta. The anti-termite potential of each extract revealed that among the plants examined, T. arjunastem methanolic extract exhibited the highest termiticidal potential (74.67%) followed by S.cumini leaf and stem methanolic extracts(70% ,67% respectively). Aqueous extract of A. Aspera was found effective against termites and exhibited 56% mortality over a period of 48hrs