Termites (Isoptera) are among the worse insect pests for wooden structures and their presence may represent a serious threat for cultural heritage, especially in those areas where climate and environmental conditions are favourable to these insects.The Old Continent is increasingly jeopardized by the obnoxious assaults of these insects, due to the high density of housing, to the haphazard urbanization and globalization, to the novel ecological patterns in use in the bio-masonry and to the antique remnant of mansions and sacred architecture. Presently, sustainable management of termite pests includes the use of preventative measures (eg. application of repellents/antifeedants) and the use of baits with slow-acting termiticides.The nuts of Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae), tree native to West-Central Africa, are used to produce shea (karité) butter, welcome in the manufacture of cosmetics and food stuff. Aborigens believe that the residue from shea-butter extraction is capable to protect their houses from termites, which are extremely abundant in these regions (1). To verify if these popular beliefs have scientific basis, experiments were performed with European subterranean and drywood termites, respectively Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rhinotermitidae) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae). Therefore an hydroglyceric extract of shea nut shells (the only pericarp) and an acqueous extract of shea cake (obtained from de-husked ground kernels, and thus phase oil-free) were used in short-term choice-tests and in long-term force-feeding trials, in order to assess the feeding deterrence or stimulation.. The results show that for both termite species shea cake extract is a feeding deterrent, thus confirming its potential as a wood preservative. However, most interestingly, the extract from shea nut shells elicited a very strong feeding stimulant effect, which looks extremely promising to increase the attractiveness -and therefore efficiency- of the baits. Further analytical investigations (to determine the total rate of terpenoids and polyphenols) on both extracts are in progress in order to identify the active components responsible for the observed effects.1)J.M.Dalziel, 1937 - The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Appendix to the flora of West Tropical Africa. London, Crown Agents for the Colonies.

Extracts from Karité nuts reveal an ambivalent resource against termite pests / Maistrello, Lara; I., Macías Pavon; S., Bortolini; L., Martini. - STAMPA. - .:(2011), pp. 92-.. (Intervento presentato al convegno XXIV Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana tenutosi a Lecce nel 11-16 Settembre 2011).

Extracts from Karité nuts reveal an ambivalent resource against termite pests

MAISTRELLO, Lara;
2011

Abstract

Termites (Isoptera) are among the worse insect pests for wooden structures and their presence may represent a serious threat for cultural heritage, especially in those areas where climate and environmental conditions are favourable to these insects.The Old Continent is increasingly jeopardized by the obnoxious assaults of these insects, due to the high density of housing, to the haphazard urbanization and globalization, to the novel ecological patterns in use in the bio-masonry and to the antique remnant of mansions and sacred architecture. Presently, sustainable management of termite pests includes the use of preventative measures (eg. application of repellents/antifeedants) and the use of baits with slow-acting termiticides.The nuts of Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae), tree native to West-Central Africa, are used to produce shea (karité) butter, welcome in the manufacture of cosmetics and food stuff. Aborigens believe that the residue from shea-butter extraction is capable to protect their houses from termites, which are extremely abundant in these regions (1). To verify if these popular beliefs have scientific basis, experiments were performed with European subterranean and drywood termites, respectively Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rhinotermitidae) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae). Therefore an hydroglyceric extract of shea nut shells (the only pericarp) and an acqueous extract of shea cake (obtained from de-husked ground kernels, and thus phase oil-free) were used in short-term choice-tests and in long-term force-feeding trials, in order to assess the feeding deterrence or stimulation.. The results show that for both termite species shea cake extract is a feeding deterrent, thus confirming its potential as a wood preservative. However, most interestingly, the extract from shea nut shells elicited a very strong feeding stimulant effect, which looks extremely promising to increase the attractiveness -and therefore efficiency- of the baits. Further analytical investigations (to determine the total rate of terpenoids and polyphenols) on both extracts are in progress in order to identify the active components responsible for the observed effects.1)J.M.Dalziel, 1937 - The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Appendix to the flora of West Tropical Africa. London, Crown Agents for the Colonies.
2011
XXIV Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana
Lecce
11-16 Settembre 2011
Maistrello, Lara; I., Macías Pavon; S., Bortolini; L., Martini
Extracts from Karité nuts reveal an ambivalent resource against termite pests / Maistrello, Lara; I., Macías Pavon; S., Bortolini; L., Martini. - STAMPA. - .:(2011), pp. 92-.. (Intervento presentato al convegno XXIV Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana tenutosi a Lecce nel 11-16 Settembre 2011).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/684272
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