US EPA

1462053 

Journal Article 

Selective Solvent Extraction of the Bark of Rhizophora apiculata as an Anti-Termite Agent against Coptotermes gestroi 

Khalil, HPSA; Kong, NH; Ahmad, MN; Bhat, AH; Jawaid, M; Jumat, S 

2009 

1 

Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology
ISSN: 0277-3813 

29 

4 

286-304 

English 

10.1080/02773810903165663 

WOS:000274364200003 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02773810903165663
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The anti-termite action of the bark of mangrove plant
Rhizophora apiculata and four other species against the attack of the subterranean termite
Coptotermes gestroi was investigated. The bark powder was extracted and partitioned into four
main extractspetroleum ether (PE), chloroform (CE), ethyl acetate (EE), and n-butanol (BE).
Termite bioassay on different extracts was carried out. The total phenol content (TPC) of the
extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as gallic acid equivalent
(GAE). Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were used as a positive
control in the free-radical-scavenging activity test. It was believed that both the toxicity and
antioxidant properties of extractives imparted natural resistance to the bark of R. apiculata.
Considering wood weight loss, EE appeared to be the most potent inhibitor. The EE was then
fractionated into three fractions (F1, F2, F3) by means of thin layer chromatography. F2
exhibited the lowest mean percentage weight loss. Through chemical and spectral analyses, we
attribute the presence of bioactive constituents in the EE to a mixture of aromatic carboxylic
acids or phenolics. 

Anti-termite; bark extracts; Coptotermes gestroi; phenolics; Rhizophora apiculata