Pengujian Laboratoris Efikasi Larutan Kitosan terhadap Rayap Tanah Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Subterranean termite Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) has been known as the most important structural pest that causes significant economic losses on building in Indonesia. Up to now termite control techniques that have been applied are wood preservation and soil treatment, both of the techniques could causing environment pollution. Meanwhile chitosan is known as natural polymer that potentially could developed as wood preservative due to its bioactive compound. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan in three concentration levels (0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) against subterranean termite C. curvignathus. Chitosan was dissolved in 1% acetatic acid solution then applied to wood samples made from pine board 10 cm x 8 cm x 2 cm with cold soaking treatment for three days. Wood samples were exposed to subterranean termite C. curvignathus for three weeks based on PSIH-IPB-1998 standard method. Retention of chitosan solution, termite mortality, and degree of protection of wood samples were determined. The results showed that concentration of chitosan solution affect the retention, termite mortality, and degree of protection of wood samples. Wood samples at 1 % concentration were promoted 3.50 kg/m3 retention and caused 98.17% termite mortality with maximum degree of protection of wood samples against C. curvignathus. Chitosan could develop as a wood preservative, especially for protection of wood products that are not directly exposed to weather. However further studies are needed to determine leachibility, mode of action, as well as optimum dose of chitosan solution.