Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of antitermitic active compound from the leaf of Chinese cedar (Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk)

Abstract

The persistent use of synthetic termiticides is at present of environmental concern and has resulted in the need to search for plant-derived compounds as an alternative for termite control. Antitermitic activity of Chinese cedar (Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk) against Reticulitermes chinensis was demonstrated in laboratory tests. Bioactivity tests against the termite R. chinensis demonstrate that the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) value of leaf essential oil is 2.80 mg/mL. Furthermore, α-terpineol, which was responsible for the antitermitic property and isolated from Chinese cedar that exhibited very strong antitermitic activity, was found to be significantly effective against R. chinensis with median LC₅₀ values of 0.86 mg/mL. The findings suggested that the essential oil from Chinese cedar leaf and α-terpineol might be considered as a potent source for the production of effective, environmentally friendly and safe termiticides.

Keywords::

• Chinese cedar
• Reticulitermes chinensis
• antitermitic activity
• α-terpineol
• termiticide

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2010PY065).