Abstract

Recently, the architectural and physical properties of the fungus comb from subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) mounds had been studied and it is important to determine its chemical profile as well as to evaluate its anti-staining-fungi activity. The results showed that fungus comb of M. gilvus has a high crude ash (30.57%), fiber (25.46%), starch (7.76%), protein (5.80%, 5.53% amino acid), acid-insoluble ash (3.45%), and fat (0.73%). It also contained phenol hydroquinone, steroids, terpenoids, and saponin compounds. Seventeen amino acids were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, of which arginine, leucine, glutamate, and aspartic acid were the majority. According to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the n-hexane extract consists of several types of fatty acid derivatives. Meanwhile, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts were primarily phenol groups with 1,2,3-propanetriol (glycerol) at the highest relative concentration. Four fungus-comb extracts (n-hexane, EtOAc, MeOH, and water) inhibited the Aspergillus foetidus fungus, with inhibition rates ranging from 24.17% to 100% and EtOAc extract as the most active extract. It appears that EtOAc extracts from the M. gilvus fungus comb can be considered an active ingredient source of novel organic fungicide in preventing wood-staining fungi attacks on susceptible wood.

Keywords: Macrotermes gilvus; fungus comb; chemical properties; active extract; wood-staining fungi

1. Introduction

Indonesia is a tropical country that offers a suitable environment for a huge number of termite species. Of the 3106 species of termite that have been recorded worldwide, 300 species (11.5% of them) were discovered in this country [1,2]. In this circumstance, the Indo-Malayan termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) has the most extensive geographical distribution out of the termite species in the country [3]. The existence of this termite species has been reported in almost all parts of the country, including all districts of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia [2,4]. Even within the South Jakarta landscape, the existence of this species was more dominant than other termite species. A colony of this termite species lives in nest systems in the form of a mound, with a complex network of tunnels inside. This serves to protect the colony from the influence of extreme external environmental conditions [5]. Subterranean termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae, particularly Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae), have the most extensive geographical distribution in Indonesia [3]. These termites create fungus combs or fungus gardens inside their nest as a food source for the colony members [6]. Therefore, this termite, as well as the other members of the subfamily Macrotermitinae, is known as a fungus-cultivating termite.