Potentials of Azadirachta indica seed oil as bio-preservative against termite attack on wood

In order to contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving sustainable environmentally benign methods of treating and preserving lignocellulosic materials, the potential of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil as bio-preservative against termite attack on Aningeria robusta wood was investigated. Soxhlet apparatus was used to extract the oil using N-hexane as the solvent. The phytochemical screening of the oil revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and steroids. The wood samples of Aningeria robusta of dimensions 50x50 x 300mm were treated using dipping method with five different concentration levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of the neem seed oil extract and untreated samples served as the control. The wood samples were exposed to termite attack for a period of 10 weeks and the percentage weight loss was determined. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% probability level. There were significant differences in the weight loss at different concentration levels. Maximum protection against the termites was obtained at the highest concentration level i.e. 100%. The weight loss ranged from 23.18±5.9 to 46.01±5.08 at concentrations of 100% to 0% of neem seed oil extract. However, all the treatments proved to be effective over the control (51.72%). From this investigation, it is established that Azadirachta indica seed oil extract is a potential bio-preservative against termites attack on Aningeria robusta wood.

Author(s): Funke G. Adebawo, Olayiwola O. Ajala, Olajide A. Olatunji and Tunde. J. Adekanbi

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