Insecticidal Activity of Turmeric Extract (Curcuma longa) to Termite (Isoptera)

Roi Bryle Theo L. Pegenia

Researcher
 Chapter I

I. Introduction

Termites eat or destroy woods so it can destroy our crafts made out of woods. Some of us

buy any expensive insecticides just to kill termites but other insecticides is not enough to kill this

insects.

Termites are eusocial insects that are classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder

Isoptera, or as epifamily Termitoidae within the cockroach order Blattodea. This also destroys

and lives in things that are woods. It also can bite or sting but not toxic. However, people that are

living in homes infested by termites can have or suffer from allergic reaction or might have

asthma attacks (Riffelmancher,2008). Turmeric is a bright yellow aromatic powder obtained

from the rhizome of a plant of the ginger family, used for flavoring and coloring in Asian

cooking and formerly as a fabric dye. Phytochemical components of turmeric include

diarylheptanoids, a class including numerous curcuminoids, such as curcumin, that is used in

diseases and proven that have insecticidal effect to cabbage looper.

The purpose in doing this study is to know if turmeric extract will kill or reduce the

number of termites and also to have an alternative termite killer to avoid us from buy expensive

termite killers
II. Statement of the Problem

This study can answer the following questions:

1. If turmeric extract is effective as termite killer.

2. Which concentration will be the best as termite killer?

III. Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study will be conducted to know the most effective concentration of

termite killer made out of Turmeric extract.

Specifically, it aimed to:

1. Determine if Turmeric extract is effective as termite killer.

2.Know which concentration will be the best as termite killer.

IV. Hypothesis of the Study

To answer the objectives of this study, the following hypothesis will be tested

statistically.

Ho: The Turmeric extract cannot be use as termite killer.

Hi: The Turmeric extract can be use as termite killer.

V. Significance of the Study

Students: The result of this study can be use as provide valuable information that could help

their study.

Readers: To learn and enhance their knowledge about the Effectiveness of Turmeric extract as

termite killer.

Farmers: for them to know how to kill termites in their surrounding

VI. Scope and Limitation

This study focuses on the effectiveness of Turmeric extract as termite killer. The

researcher will conduct this study for one week at Mahabang Kahoy Lejos, Indang, Cavite.

VII. Definition of Terms

Turmeric - According to Merriam Webster, it is an Indian perennial herb that is part of ginger

family with a large aromatic yellow rhizome

Effectiveness – According to Merriam Webster, it is the producing a result that is wanted.

Termite – According to Merriam Webster, it is a kind of soft, white insect that lives in groups,

eats wood, and causes a lot of damage to a wooden structures.

Review Related Literature and Studies

This chapter shows the background of the variable that the researcher will be use for the

study that he/she will be conducted. This also shows the study related to this kind of study.

Review Related Literature

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

According to Swanson Turmeric is a plant in the same botanical family as ginger. It’s

native to southern Asia, but turmeric is grown in a few other warm, humid climates around the

globe. Like ginger, it’s the tuberous shoots (rhizomes) of the plant that are used in foods and

health supplements. The powdered turmeric you find in the spice aisle is made by boiling, drying

and finely grinding the roots of the turmeric plant. Most people think of turmeric as the “curry

spice” and mistakenly think turmeric is spicy. The potential health benefits of turmeric are truly

impressive. Research and historical usage shows turmeric may provide relief and support to our

bodies in many ways. Turmeric has been used in medicines and as a culinary spice for nearly

4,000 years, dating as far back as the Vedic culture in India, where it also held religious

significance.
Termites (Isoptera)

According to Science Daily, Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of

eusocial insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order, Isoptera. Termites feed on dead

plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter or soil, and about 10% of the 4,000 odd

species (about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically important as pests that can cause

serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. Termites are significant

detrivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and

other plant matter is of considerable ecological importance. As social insects, termites live in

colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals. They are a

prime example of decentralized, self-organized systems using swarm intelligence and use this

cooperation to exploit food sources and environments that could not be available to any single

insect acting alone. A typical colony contains nymphs (semi-mature young), workers, soldiers,

and reproductive individuals of both sexes, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens.

Because of their wood-eating habits, termites sometimes do great damage to buildings and other

wooden structures. Their habit of remaining concealed often results in their presence being

undetected until the timbers are severely damaged and exhibit surface changes. Once termites

have entered a building they do not limit themselves just to wood, also damaging paper, cloth,

carpets, and other cellulosic materials.

S. Addisu, D. Mohamed, and S. Waktole, (2014). In this study entitled, Efficacy of

Botanical Extracts against Termites, Macrotermes spp., (Isoptera: Termitidae) under

Laboratory Conditions An experiment with the objective to identify effective botanical

and optimum concentration on Macrotermes spp., was conducted. Five botanicals

(Azadirachta indica, Jatropha curcas, Maesa lanceolata, Chenopodium

ambrosoids, Vernonia hymenolepis) each at 4 concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 35% (w/v))

were tested on worker caste of Macrotermes spp., using topical application. Untreated

and standard (Diazinon 60% EC) checks/controls were used for comparison. The

experiment was laid-out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications for

each concentration. The result of the study revealed that all botanical extracts at all

concentrations tested were able to cause mortality on Macrotermes with less lethal time

(LT 50 ) than the untreated control. Among the botanical extracts, LT 50 of 8.36 h was taken

by J. carcus at 35% concentration followed by A. indica at 35% concentration and J.

carcus at 30% concentration (both requiring 12.20 h). The untreated control resulted in

no mortality of termites while the botanicals caused maximum mortality of 100% ( J.

caracus at 20-35% concentration) to minimum mortality of 88.33% (C.

ambrosoids and V. hymenolepsis at 10% concentration) 72 h after exposure. In

conclusions, the present study suggests that management of Macrotermes spp., using bio-

termiticides plant extracts showed promising results that could be integrated in IPM

of Macrotermes.
 P.H. Gojo Cruz, R. L. Nuńez, C. A. Anulacion, N.A. Gregorio, K. Iniwan, E. J. Nolasco,

R. M.Pallarca & K.G.D. Waing (2018). The fungi growing termites (Macrotermes gilvus) is a

damaging insect and are known to be a pest all over the world. Utilization of plant materials as

insecticide is considered necessary because it is biodegradable and relatively safe for humans

and animals. This study uses mahogany leaves, barks, and seeds as botanical insecticide. The

effectiveness of six (6) extracts from mahogany; T1 (50ml seed hot extract + 50ml distilled

water), T2 (100ml seed hot extract), T3 (50 ml leaves hot extract + 50 ml distilled water), T4

(100 ml leaves hot extract), T5 (50 ml barks hot extract + 50 ml distilled water), and T6 (100

mlbarks hot extract), against termites were compared to a commercial pesticide, Solignum. The

treatments were administered by spraying 5ml each to the termites. Phytochemical analysis

showed the presence of essential oils, triterpenes, steroids, phenols, coumarines, tannins,

alkaloids, flavonoids, anthrones, anthraquinones, fatty acids. Results showed that the use of

extracts of mahogany leaves, barks, and seeds as an insecticide against M. gilvus was found

effective. The most effective treatment is T4 (100 ml leaves hot extract) with mortality rate of

100% after 30-seconds of application.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In this chapter, it includes the materials and procedures that are going to do in this study

and determine if this Turmeric extract is effective for termite killer.

Research Methodology

In this chapter, it includes the materials and procedures that are going to do in this study

and determine if this Turmeric extract is effective for termite killer. In this study the researcher

used experimental research. The phytochemical analysis will be use in this study to find out the

presence of the oils, triterpenes, steroids, phenols, coumarines, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids,

anthrones, anthraquinones, fatty acids.

Dependent variable:

The dependent variable is the effectiveness of Turmeric extract as termite killer.

Independent variable:

The independent variable is the amount of Turmeric extract.

The researcher use the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to compares the effect of

the different treatment to the primary factor.

First multiply the number of the first variable to the number of second variable to get the

number of treatment you have. Then the number the respondents will be split depends on how

many treatments are there in the study. Then compare the result of each treatment to find out

which of the treatment or replication is effective.

Methodology

Collection of Turmeric

Decoction Procedure/Extraction of Turmeric

Culturing Termite for The Experiment

Test procedure

Completely Randomized Design (CRD)

Materials

The materials that to be use for this study are measuring cup or beaker, water, Petri dish,

topper wear, spray bottle, and funnel.

A. Collection of Turmeric

The turmeric to be use is from the researcher’s backyard.

B. Extraction of Turmeric

First, rinse the turmeric to running water. Then, after rinsing the turmeric dry it with a

clean cloth. Then, soak it to an ethanol (solvent) in 24 hours. Then, after soaking it put it in a

cool and dry topper wear. Last, go to the DOST to extract the turmeric that you need.

C. Culturing Termite for the Experiment

The termites that the researcher will be use are from the woods. Then it will be put on the

petri dish.
D. Combining Turmeric Extract with Water

Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 Treatment 5

T1R1 T2R1 T3 R 1 T4R1 T5R1

T1R2 T2R2 T3 R 2 T4R2 T5R2

T1R3 T2R3 T3 R 3 T4R3 T5R3

T1R4 T2R4 T3 R 4 T4R4 T5R4

T1R5 T2R5 T3 R 5 T4R5 T5R5

Treatment 1 Turmeric extract (%) Water (%) Total (%)

1 20 80 100

2 25 75 100

3 30 70 100

4 35 65 100

5 40 60 100

E. Test Procedure

Measure the exact amount of turmeric extract you need to use in the measuring cup or

beaker. Then put the exact amount of Turmeric extract you measure to the spray bottle. Then

spray it to the termite.

Swanson Vitamins. (2017, December 20). Turmeric. Retrieved from

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/lindsey/what-is-turmeric

Science Daily. (2019, June 7). Termite Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/termite

S.Addissu, D. Mohamed and S. Waktole, (2014). Efficacy of Botanical Extracts against

Termites, Macrotermes spp., (Isoptera: Termitidae) under Laboratory Conditions.

International Journal of Agricultural Research, 9: 60-73. Retrieved from

https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijar.2014.60.73

WikiHow, (2018, November 25). Retrieved from https://m.wikihow.com/Extract-

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