See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/308063556

Testing the Insecticidal Potential of Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) Fruit

Extract against Termites (Coptotermes gestroi)

Experiment Findings · September 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29079.16804

CITATIONS READS

0 29,967

5 authors, including:

Jerson Albete Genovia Charleston Gapo

Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology
8 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    3 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Advance Physiology View project

Philosophical Foundation of Education View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Jerson Albete Genovia on 14 September 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Bio 182. Biotechniques 2016

Mindanao State University-

Iligan Institute of Technology
College of Science and Mathematics
A. Bonifacio Avenue, 9200 Tibanga, Iligan City, Philippines
www.msuiit.edu.ph +63.63.221.4056

Testing the Insecticidal Potential of Chili Pepper

(Capsicum frutescens) Fruit Extract against Termites
(Coptotermes gestroi)
Nesel A. Colon, Charleston B. Gapo, Jerson A. Genovia, Mitchelle Dawn E. Paye, Gohocson S. Rosales

ABSTRACT

Chili pepper has many nutritional benefits and is widely used as spice among Asian
countries. It has also the capability to kill insects found in common households. Keeping in
view these facts about Chili pepper and its usability, this study aims to test the efficacy of
Chili pepper fruit extract against wood termites. Squeezing method was used to get the
juices from the fruit. Fifteen termites were collected from dry wood. They were then placed
into three closed containers, sprayed by the extract and observed within 12 hours. Result
showed no effects on termites in container A (control group), however, in container B that
has 100 percent concentration of the extract, termites were killed abruptly in 5 minutes and
after two hours, termites were dead in container C (50 % of chili pepper fruit extract and
50% distilled water). Thus, Fruit extract of chili pepper has positive effects as insecticide
against household termites.

Keywords: Chili pepper, Capsaicin, Insecticides, Termites, Extract, Squeezing method

INTRODUCTION

The chili pepper, also known as siling labuyo is one of well-known spice all over
the world. It gives a sizzling hotness of any food which makes people crave for it. Chili
pepper has health sustaining properties as well and had been found to have rich in Vitamin
A and C contents ( Aguhob et al., 2015). The heat of chillies is cause by the family of
compounds called Capsaicinoids. Several different compounds are found in the various
varieties of chillies but the dominant compound is capsaicin. As stated in the webpage of
compoundchem.com, experiments have estimated that in mice, the median lethal dose
(dose required to kill half of a test population) is around 47.2mg/kg.
There were only few studies conducted on the insecticidal effect of chilli pepper on
insects specifically termites. Termites are common problem in some household as they
 Bio 182. Biotechniques 2016

cause destruction of furniture, house, or anything made of wood. According to Ring, D. &
Wilson, G. (2016), termites cause more damage to homes than all other natural disasters
combined. Termites are often referred to as the “white ant” because of their size and colour.
Nicknames such as “the little white thing” or “little white ant” come up in discussing this
insect. This termite is also known as the Philippine milk termite (Coptotermes gestroi).
Modern houses make extensive use of concrete slabs, and for most effective termite
proofing much of the chemical barrier needs to be put under these slabs (Aguhob et al.,
2012).
Insecticides kill by affecting the physiology of the insect. It abrades the skin of the
insects (roughens the skin or wear it away), causing them to lose water. Insecticides are
helpful, but they can also be dangerous. Some insecticides, called broad spectrum poisons,
kill a variety of organisms. Besides killing pests, they kill harmless and helpful organisms
such including wasps, spiders and other natural enemies of pests.
The aim of this study is to find out if the chili pepper fruit extract has any
insecticidal effect on insects, specifically termites. In addition, many studies have indicated
the potential ecological damage due to the widespread use
of synthetic pesticides (Meyer et al., 2007). Inclined to this fact, this research might be a
stepping stone for further study about the development of a homemade insecticide that
basically can help to the reduction of chemically-produced insecticide.

REFERENCES

Aguhob, W.A., Lumasag, J., & Romano, C.I. (2015).The Insecticidal Potential of Chili
Pepper Leaf Extract Against Termites.http://www.edu-sciece.com/2012/11/the-
insecticidal-potential-of-chili.html.Retrieved:May 21, 2016.
Antonious, F.G., Meyer, E.J., Rogers, A.G. and Hu, Y. (2007). Growing hot pepper for
cabbage looper, Trichopulsia ni (H¨ubner) and spider mite, Tetranychus urticae
(Koch) control. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17562464. Retrieved: June
10, 2016.
Ring, D. & Wilson, G. (2016): Insecticides for Termite Control.
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/parishes/ouachita/features/anr/e
ntomology/insecticides-for-termite-control.Retrieved: June 10, 2016.

View publication stats