Evaluation of polyphenols-rich natural compounds as treatments to prevent attacks by subterranean and drywood termites: preliminary results

Abstract

-In the view to find sustainable methods to prevent termite attacks to wooden objects and structural timbers, this study represents a preliminary step in the evaluation of some natural substances considered as effective by some African popular traditions. Dark shea cake, obtained from the kernels of Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae), is the phase just before the extraction of shea (= karitè) butter. In some West African regions, by-products from this extraction are traditionally believed to protect houses from termites. To verify if this practice has scientific basis, shea cake was used in experiments with both subterranean and drywood termites, respectively Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) (Rhinotermitidae) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius) (Kalotermitidae). As shea nuts are extremely rich in polyphenols, the trials included a comparison with tannins from chestnut (Castanea sativa). Short-term experiments to evaluate repellency and feeding deterrence of the two compounds were performed. Results showed differences in the behavior of the two termites species and that shea cake is significantly more repellent than chestnut tannins, especially for K. flavicollis. No feeding deterrence activity was detected for either substance for either termite species. Further investigation is currently being performed to better clarify how these compounds affect termite biology.

Termiticidal activities of few plant extracts against Macrotermes subhyalinus smeathman and Trinervitermes geminatus wasmann (Isoptera: Termitidae) survival

“…They found that the acqueous extract of these plants not only caused the mortality of tested termites, but also showed an important repellency to them. The repellent effect of extracts from few tropical plants on termite has also been reported by Maistrello et al (2011), Osipitan et al (2013) and Acda (2014).…”

Comparison of total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of ripe and unripe fruits from extracts of Vitellaria paradoxa

“…The plant is very common in the northern than southern parts of Ghana especially they are in abundance in Navrongo in the Upper East region of Ghana (Adelibigbe et al, 2017) [1] . It is a very common tree which occurs largely in off-reserves in some parts of Africa including northern Ghana (Maistrello et al, 2011;Jasaw et al, 2015) [14,12] . The plant is a nontimber forest product (NTFP) which means that it is a conserved biodiversity for enhancement of local livelihood and environmental sustainability (Jasaw et al, 2015) [12] .…”

“…Its kernels are used in production of shea butter which has gained popularity as a result of its application in food and cosmetic industries (Maistrello et al, 2011) [14] . The People employ the byproducts they obtain after extraction of sheabutter to prevent their houses from termites (Maistrello et al, 2011) [14] . The constituents of shea include saponins, alkaloids and polyphenols like tannins (Maranz et al, 2003; Ajijolakewu and Awarun, 2015) [15,2] .…”

Screening of Termiticidal Activities Different Extracts of Stem Bark of <i>Prunus africana against Macrotermes spp.</i>

“…Damage caused by subterranean termites, historically has been a concern of researchers worldwide [7]. Termites are among the worst pests for wooden structures and objects and their presence may also represent a serious threat for cultural heritage especially in those areas where climate and environmental conditions are especially favorable to these insects [8].…”