Chemical characterization of pyrolysis liquids from Dyera costulata and evaluation of their bio-efficiency against subterranean termites, Coptotermes curvignathus

• Published in: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products
• Main Author: Kadir R.; Sarif Mohd Ali M.; Kartal S.N.; Elham P.; Mohd Ali N.A.; Awang A.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH 2022
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85112559032&doi=10.1007%2fs00107-021-01732-z&partnerID=40&md5=f2e3eef42b376e8e0a2b2e8ecabad27b

Wood degradation caused by fungi and insects is a major problem for the rubberwood industry. This study evaluated the potential of using pyrolysis liquids (wood vinegar) from Dyera costulata as a natural biocide against termites. The infestation rates of Coptotermes curvignathus on filter paper samples treated with 0.5%, 1.0%, 5.0% and 10.0% of Dyera costulata wood vinegar were observed in laboratory conditions. The effects of D. costulata wood vinegar treatment depended on the concentration. Filter paper samples treated with 10% D. costulata wood vinegar had the highest resistance against C. curvignathus attack, with the lowest relative mass loss, followed in rank order by the 5% and 1% treatments. Results from tests on Hevea brasiliensis wood treated with wood vinegar also showed a similar trend. The results suggest that D. costulata wood vinegar acts as a wood preservative against termites, provided proper concentration is used. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.