Experts find enzyme to control termites

Experts find enzyme to control termites

By Joko Sarwono

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Researchers from the Bogor Institute of
Agriculture (IPB) have discovered a natural nontoxic compound to
control termites.

Declining to name the compound on the grounds that it is being
patented, they say they hope the substance can be mass produced
to replace chemical pesticides that pollute the environment.

Dodi Nandika, chief of the IPB laboratory that conducted the
research, says the substance is an enzyme that inhibits the
termite's skin.

"The enzyme is environmentally friendly because it is not a
toxin," Dodi says.

It was discovered after an intensive study on the life cycle
of termites. The animal changes skin five times in the course of
its lifetime.

The skin is very strong and rigid. As soon as it leaves its
old skin, the termite secretes chitin from its body to make the
new skin. The enzyme that the researchers discovered inhibits the
chitin secretion. The abnormal new skin growth will leave the
termite dead from heavy dehydration.

The termite that eats the enzyme won't die instantly. The
compound is stored in its body and takes effect when the insect
changes skin.

"The termite will die within two weeks after it ingests the
substance," Dodi says.

The substance spells chained deaths in the termite colony
because the animal never eats alone. It feeds hungry fellows.

Since the newly found anti-termite enzyme is nontoxic, it does
not require trained personnel or special equipment to apply.
Tissue is soaked in the liquid and placed near the entrance of
the termite colony.

The enzyme has been tested for three years in Cikarawang
research forest near Bogor and in housing complexes in Bogor and
Surabaya.

"The research has earned four scholars master of science
degrees," Dodi says.

Rudy C. Tarumingkeng, a professor of entomology at ITB, says
that he is aware of a chitin synthesis that inhibits the growth
of a termite's skin that was discovered by American scientists
some 20 years ago.

Acknowledging he is yet to learn about Dodi's discovery, Rudy
said that about five years ago, American scientists discovered a
compound called hexaflumoron, which has the same characteristics
as the one that the IPB researchers discovered.

"If Prof. Dodi discovered a different compound, it would be an
important progress in termite control in Indonesia," Rudy says.

Termites are a major threat to buildings in Indonesia.
According to Dodi, who conducted studies on the damage caused by
termites in Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta,
Surabaya, Medan, Batam, Makassar and Biak, termites caused
damages worth Rp 100 billion in 1985.

The figure rose to Rp 300 billion in 1990. "It further soared
to an estimated Rp 1.6 trillion in 1998," he said.

The extensive damage stems from the rapid conversion of
agricultural land to housing without due attention to ecosystem
balance. The loss of trees in a plantation, for example, means
the loss of decaying wood and fallen leaves that become the
termite's staple.

"In the absence of trees, the insect finds only building
materials to eat," dodi said.