Biochemical Alterations and Termiticidal Activity of Combinatorial Essential Oil Ingredients of Citrus maxima on Indian White Termite Odontotermes obesus

Abstract

Essential oils are better alternative for synthetic termiticides with the inherent resistance by insects, environmental and health effects on humans. In present investigation, various bio-molecules i.e. glycogen, protein, amino acid, DNA, RNA and lipid were evaluated to determine the anti-termite efficacy of Citrus maxima essential oil based combinatorial formulations against Indian white termite Odontotermes obesus. For this purpose, termites were treated topically with 40% and 80% of 24 hr LD50 values of various combinatorial formulations. A significant (p > 0.05) alteration was noted in all the above biomolecules at various time intervals. Both dose response and time period was found important in physiological alteration in levels of various bio-molecules. Combinatorial mixtures of Citrus essential oils have shown synergistic activity against termites. The research outcomes of present investigation would help to open sustainable way to termite control in crop field, gardens and houses.