Prospect of propolis from stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama as biological control of the subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus

Abstract

This study applies a propolis from a stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama as an alternative to control the infestation of a subterranean termite, Coptotermes curvignathus. The objective of this study was to assess the antitermitic activity of stingless bee's propolis as termiticide based on its repellency activity, contact toxicity effect as well as its ability to act as cellulase inhibitor. The bioactive components of the propolis in terms of the phenolics and flavonoids content were also determined. It was observed that the propolis is a termite's repellent with a preference index of-0.73. Upon contact, it can kill 50% of the termite's population within 1.5 hours with lethal concentration of about 16% (w/v). It's extract also can inhibit cellulase activity of termites. Diameter of the clear zone on the CMC agar was found to be significantly reduced from 3.1 cm to 2.4 cm when 30% (w/v) propolis's extract was added into the termite extract at the ratio of 1 to 4 (termite: Propolis extract). In conclusion, from the results obtained, propolis from Heterotrigona itama has high potential to be used as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical termiticide.