Abstract—Termites (
Coptotermes formosanus) has been known as household destructive insect in rural and urban areas. It feed on wooden scaffoldings and infrastructures of houses and buildings.
Cesalpina sappan grows in tropical countries, and is known as one of herbal plant use in rural areas. The heartwood is utilized as firewood. Researches on its medicinal use, was already explored, but no study on its potential as control to termites is conducted. This research was undertaken to determine what concentration of
Sappan seed ethanol extract (SSEE) will kill termites. Houses and buildings in rural and urban areas infested with termites will be benefited with the result of this study. It is most beneficial in places where
Sappan seeds are just thrown away, which can be used as potential source of insecticide from plants. Experimental research method with four treatments and 80 experimental animals was used. SSEE was macerated in 95% ethanol. Eighty termites were assigned in four groups/treatments, with 20 termites per treatment. They were exposed to different concentrations as; T- 0% SSEE, T1, 10% SSEE, T2, 20% SSEE and T3, 30% SSEE. Gathered data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Fisher Least Significant Difference test (LSD). Findings of the study revealed that highest percentage of mortality after 1 hour observation, was obtained from treatment 3 (30%percent SSEE). Based on this result Sappan seeds ethanol extract has a significant potential in the control of termites specifically at 30% concentration.
Index Terms—
Caesalpinia sappan, wood termites.
The authors are with the Department of Natural Sciences College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University Manila Philippines (e-mail: lilyacero1@yahoo.com, lhiscruz@yahoo.com, fidelistuy@yahoo.com).
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Cite: Liwayway H. Acero, Ma. Eliza P. Cruz, and Fedeliz S. Tuy, "Termiticidal Potential of Sappan (Caesalpinia Sappan) Seeds," International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Applications vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 216-220, 2018.
