Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers
Abstract Timber, an organic material found in nature, has long served as a fundamental resource for constructing bridges, buildings, and various other structures. The search for eco-friendly timber preservatives led to this study, which aimed to develop a non-synthetic preservative from A. leiocarpu...
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Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06978-3 |
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| author | Uwemedimo Nyong Wilson Nasir Yakubu Muhammed Mohammed Abdulkareem Adisa Samson Olalekan Odeyemi |
| author_facet | Uwemedimo Nyong Wilson Nasir Yakubu Muhammed Mohammed Abdulkareem Adisa Samson Olalekan Odeyemi |
| author_sort | Uwemedimo Nyong Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Timber, an organic material found in nature, has long served as a fundamental resource for constructing bridges, buildings, and various other structures. The search for eco-friendly timber preservatives led to this study, which aimed to develop a non-synthetic preservative from A. leiocarpus extract and test its effectiveness on Triplochiton scleroxylon, Alstonia boonei, and Ceiba pentandra. A total of 120 wood samples (30 per specie) were prepared according to ASTM D3345-22 (2022). Moisture content and density were determined per BS EN 408: 2010. Extracts were prepared by soaking 3 kg of A. leiocarpus shavings in 30 L of water for 21 days, followed by phytochemical analysis. The cold-soak treatment method was applied, and samples were subjected to a graveyard test following ASTM D1758. Stakes were buried in termite-infested soil and retrieved after 6 weeks for gravimetric weight loss analysis. Phytochemical analysis detected alkaloids, saponins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and anthraquinones, while flavonoids, steroids, and phlobatannins were absent. Concentration of Tannin was found to be 13.34 mg/100 g, Saponins 9.82 mg/100 g, Alkaloid 4.96 mg/100 g, Flavonoid 2.04 mg/100 g, and Anthraquinone 1.84 mg/100 g achieved in a 12-day average decoction period. Ceiba pentandra exhibited the highest deterioration at 89.71%, followed by Alstonia boonei at 42.88% and Triplochiton scleroxylon at 39.80%. The graveyard test showed that preservative-treated wood samples suffered less termite damage than untreated samples, but the test does not fully capture timber durability. Statistical analysis indicates that A. leiocarpus extract possesses termiticidal potential. Further studies on its long-term efficacy, application methods, and environmental impact are recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0152e97a08a0489a9d2588b83a0b360c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 3004-9261 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0152e97a08a0489a9d2588b83a0b360c2025-08-20T03:03:25ZengSpringerDiscover Applied Sciences3004-92612025-07-017711910.1007/s42452-025-06978-3Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbersUwemedimo Nyong Wilson0Nasir Yakubu Muhammed1Mohammed Abdulkareem Adisa2Samson Olalekan Odeyemi3Department of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence AcademyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Nigerian Defence AcademyDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kwara State UniversityDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kwara State UniversityAbstract Timber, an organic material found in nature, has long served as a fundamental resource for constructing bridges, buildings, and various other structures. The search for eco-friendly timber preservatives led to this study, which aimed to develop a non-synthetic preservative from A. leiocarpus extract and test its effectiveness on Triplochiton scleroxylon, Alstonia boonei, and Ceiba pentandra. A total of 120 wood samples (30 per specie) were prepared according to ASTM D3345-22 (2022). Moisture content and density were determined per BS EN 408: 2010. Extracts were prepared by soaking 3 kg of A. leiocarpus shavings in 30 L of water for 21 days, followed by phytochemical analysis. The cold-soak treatment method was applied, and samples were subjected to a graveyard test following ASTM D1758. Stakes were buried in termite-infested soil and retrieved after 6 weeks for gravimetric weight loss analysis. Phytochemical analysis detected alkaloids, saponins, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and anthraquinones, while flavonoids, steroids, and phlobatannins were absent. Concentration of Tannin was found to be 13.34 mg/100 g, Saponins 9.82 mg/100 g, Alkaloid 4.96 mg/100 g, Flavonoid 2.04 mg/100 g, and Anthraquinone 1.84 mg/100 g achieved in a 12-day average decoction period. Ceiba pentandra exhibited the highest deterioration at 89.71%, followed by Alstonia boonei at 42.88% and Triplochiton scleroxylon at 39.80%. The graveyard test showed that preservative-treated wood samples suffered less termite damage than untreated samples, but the test does not fully capture timber durability. Statistical analysis indicates that A. leiocarpus extract possesses termiticidal potential. Further studies on its long-term efficacy, application methods, and environmental impact are recommended.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06978-3Eco-friendly wood preservativesA. leiocarpusTriplochiton scleroxylonAlstonia booneiCeiba pentandraTermites |
| spellingShingle | Uwemedimo Nyong Wilson Nasir Yakubu Muhammed Mohammed Abdulkareem Adisa Samson Olalekan Odeyemi Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers Discover Applied Sciences Eco-friendly wood preservatives A. leiocarpus Triplochiton scleroxylon Alstonia boonei Ceiba pentandra Termites |
| title | Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| title_full | Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| title_short | Investigating the anti-termite property of African birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| title_sort | investigating the anti termite property of african birch extract for treatment of some selected susceptible timbers |
| topic | Eco-friendly wood preservatives A. leiocarpus Triplochiton scleroxylon Alstonia boonei Ceiba pentandra Termites |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-06978-3 |
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