Insecticidal Property of Acacia Seeds and Bark Against Termites Insecticidal Property of Acacia (Samanea saman) Seeds and

Bark Against Termites (Coptotermes vastator). A study on the insecticidal property of Acacia seeds and bark against termites was conducted to find out if these could be used against termites. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the Bureau of Soils in Lipa City and in Lumbang National High School from September to October 2005. The effort was initiated to enrich the laboratory activities in Chemistry and B iology for high school students. It especially attempted to answer the following questions: How can insecticides be prepared from Acacia seeds and bark? How effective is the Acacia insecticide in combating or killing termites (Coptot ermes vastator); Are there significant differences in the effectiveness of the ethanolic Acacia e xtract and commercial insecticide (Solignum) in combating termites? What are the implications of the use of Acacia seeds as insecticide on the envir onment and human health? Ethanolic extracts were prepared from the seeds and bark of Acacia collected fro m areas surrounding Laurel farm in Lumbang, Lipa City. These extracts were used as samples in the qualitative analysis and preliminary screening for insecticida l property against termites. The screening of the ethanolic extracts from Acacia seeds and bark revealed the presence of saponin, tannins, alkaloids, reducing a gents glycosides, carbohydrates, which have the capacity to kill termites. The one -way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used in comparing the means of the effect of the ethanolic extracts against termites. Results were positive, showing the e xperimental sample to becomparable to Solignum. Further clarification of the procedures and results should be directed to the re searchers and adviser. Researchers P-Jay D. Latorre Adviser Ms. Beatriz R Rubico Lumbang National High School

As mentioned previously, Acacias contain a number of organic compounds that defe nd them from pests and grazing animals.[2] Many of these compounds are psychoact ive in humans. The alkaloids found in Acacias include dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) and N-methyltryptamine (NMT). The plant leaves, stems and/or roots are sometimes made into a brew together with some MA OI-containing plant and consumed orally for healing, ceremonial or religious use s. Egyptian mythology has associated the acacia tree with characteristics of the tree of life (cf. article on the Legend of Osiris and Isis). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia#Medicinal_uses