Potential of methanol extract of Tetracera indica leaves in controlling Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren

ABSTRACT

Subterranean termites (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) are pests that damage building components and cause economic losses. The use of synthetic termiticides such as pyrethroids and organophosphates has the potential to cause residues, pest resistance, and environmental pollution. The development of plant-based biotermiticides is needed as alternative. One plant that has the potential to be developed as a termiticide source is Tetracera indica. This study aims to determine the potential of methanol extract of mempelas leaves (T. indica) as a biotermiticide against C. curvignathus termites through a no-choice test and to identify its chemical compounds using GC-MS analysis. The results of the termiticide activity test showed that the percentage of termite mortality increased with increasing concentration. The concentration of 25% extract can cause termite death to reach 100% on the 8th day. The results of chemical component analysis using GC-MS revealed 26 peaks, 19 of which could be detected as tentative compounds, based on the similarity of MS data with the NIST database. The main chemical compounds, namely methyl 9-octadecenoate (58.68%), methyl palmitate (16.13%), and methyl stearate (7.56%) as well as other bioactive constituents such as linoleic acid (4.39%), oleic acid (2.68%), and erythrodiol (0.09%), may contribute to the observed termiticidal activity through their reported biological activities.