Termiticidal activity of Acorus calamus Linn. rhizomes and its main constituents against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren Morina Adfa a, ⁎, Fio Livandri a , Neva Putri Meita a , Syalfinaf Manaf b , Masayuki Ninomiya c , Irfan Gustian a , Agus Martono Hadi Putranto a , Rochmah Supriati b , Mamoru Koketsu c, ⁎⁎ a Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bengkulu, Jl. W.R. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Bengkulu 38371, Indonesia b Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Bengkulu, Jl. W.R. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Bengkulu 38371, Indonesia c Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan abstract article info Article history: Received 18 April 2014 Revised 15 July 2014 Accepted 28 October 2014 Available online 14 November 2014 Keywords: Acorus calamus Linn Termiticidal GC-MS β-asarone α-asarone Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren The termiticidal activity of n-hexane and methanol fractions of Acorus calamus Linn rhizomes against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren was investigated. Both fractions have demonstrated strong termiticidal activity. The activity of n-hexane fraction was stronger than that of the methanol fraction. Based on GC-MS data, β-asarone was found to be a major constituent of n-hexane fraction (70.1%) and isolation of β-asarone was carried out on column chromatography to afford as a yellow oil in 59.1% yield. Furthermore, the antitermite properties of β-asarone and α-asarone of the isomer were investigated. Our data suggested that the two asarone isomers have insect control potential. These findings lead to the discovery of more environmentally friendly termiticides against C. curvignathus. © 2014 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Introduction Termites have been responsible for the major damage in wood and wooden products of human house, building materials, forests, and other commercial products (Meyer, 2005). The genus Coptotermes is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is the most economically important genus of urban pest insects in Asia and Australia. Two species of Asian subterranean termites, Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann and Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren are thought to be pests which cause a lot of economic damage in Indonesia and Malaysia. C. curvignathus Holmgren has been identified as the major pest insect to oil palm plantation on peat land (Bong et al., 2012). It has also been reported to attack Acacia mangium, rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and other fruit trees such as coconut and mango (Mariau et al., 1992; Kirton et al., 1999). Various chemicals were used to reduce the infestation of termite, but environmental and health problems related to the use of synthetic insecticides have made more urgent the need for less toxic and environ- mentally friendly insect control substances. It has become necessary to search for alternative means for termite control so that use of these chemicals can be minimized (Logan et al., 1990). Plant-derived natural products are promising replacements. On the other hand, as a result of over-year application of the same insecticides, insects became resistant to these chemicals; therefore, the assortment of accessible insecticides should be continuously renewed. Scientists in different parts of the world are working for the develop- ment and establishment of plant based pesticide, usually called as botanical pesticides, biopesticides or natural pesticides (Copping and Menn, 2000). Biopesticides are natural plant products that belong to secondary metabolites, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and minor secondary metabolites. Biopesticides possess many desirable properties, such as insecticidal activity, repellency to pests, deterrent to feeding, insect growth regulation, and toxicity to agricultural pests (Verma et al., 2009). In continuation of our study for natural pesticides in plants (Adfa et al., 2010, 2013), we have focused part of our efforts on the discovery of naturally occurring antitermite compounds from medicinal plants. Acorus calamus (L.) commonly known as Sweet Flag, which belongs to the Araceae (Adoraceae) family. A. calamus is a source of essential oil which is responsible for the medicinal and insecticidal properties against a wide variety of insects. The toxic effects of the essential oil of Indian A. calamus rhizomes on the adults of several stored-product insect pests were studied. El-Nahal et al. (1989) reported the toxic effects of the oil vapors to the adults of Callosobruchus chinensis (L.), Sitophilus granarius (L.), and Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Schmidt and Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 18 (2015) 47–50 ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +62 736 21170x235; fax: +62 736 20919. ⁎⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +81 58 293 2619; fax: +81 58 293 2794. E-mail addresses: morinaadfa@yahoo.com (M. Adfa), koketsu@gifu-u.ac.jp (M. Koketsu). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2014.10.012 1226-8615/© 2014 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 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