Termiticidal activity of Acorus calamus Linn. rhizomes and its main constituents against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren

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• 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%).
• The β-asarone and α-asarone revealed strong termiticidal activity against C. curvignathus.

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.

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