Strong antifeedancy of Berberine in Tali Kuning (Tinospora dissitiflora Diels) against Japanese subeterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe Forst.

Abstract

Berberine (C20H18NO4) was isolated from chloroform fraction of Tali Kuning (Tinospora dissitiflora Diels), eluted with column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin layer chromatography (PLC) using solvent system of benzen:ethyl acetate:formic acid 5:4:1 and 5:4:2, respectively, as well as CC with benzene:methanol (2:3). Antifeedancy of the isolated compound against Japanese subterranean termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe was evaluated, compared to that of choloform fraction and berberine chloride standard. Three replicates and level of concentration 12.5, 15, and 50 mg/ml were employed. The results indicated that by day-7 at 50 mg/ml the termite survivor were 60, 69, and 61% recorded from berberine, chloroform fraction and berberine chloride standard, respectively. However, there was no surviving termite by the 14th day at the similar concentration from three samples tested. Interestingly, all experiment variables gave similar class IV for coefficient of antifeedancy (CA) value of 75≤ CA≤100, indicating strong antifeedancy.