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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377347
Research Project: Development of Enhanced Bio-Based Products from Low Value Agricultural Co-Products and Wastes

Location: Functional Foods Research

Title: Effects of loblolly pine extract, primary and quaternary alkyl ammonium chlorides combined with burgundy oil from eastern red cedar against subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi

Author
item Eller, Fred
item MANKOWSKI, M - Forest Products Laboratory
item KIRKER, G - Forest Products Laboratory
item Selling, Gordon

Submitted to: BioResources
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2020
Publication Date: 12/11/2020
Citation: Eller, F.J., Mankowski, M.E., Kirker, G.T., Selling, G.W. 2020. Effects of loblolly pine extract, primary and quaternary alkyl ammonium chlorides combined with burgundy oil from eastern red cedar against subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi. BioResources. 16(1):893-910. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.16.1. 893-910.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.16.1. 893-910

Interpretive Summary: This research investigated the use of burgundy oil (BO) from Eastern red cedar and a Loblolly pine extract (LPE) in combination with starch complex containing two different alkyl ammonium chlorides for pressure treating wood to inhibit attack by termites and wood-decay fungi. Burgundy oil is obtained from the heartwood of Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) (Cupresseaceae) and is a safe, natural product from an underutilized agricultural resource in the United States. The results indicated that wood treated with the BO and either starch-alkyl ammonium chloride complex reduced wood loss by termites, increased termite mortality and inhibited all wood-decay fungi. The LPE had only a very minor effect on wood mass loss by termites, termite mortality and a slight inhibitory effect on two of the four wood-decay fungi studied. These results demonstrate that the BO/starch complex holds promise as a method for treating wood to prevent decay using natural products.

Technical Abstract: Burgundy oil (BO) from Eastern red cedar provides resistance against termites and wood-decay fungi and is enhanced when combined with an amylose inclusion complex (AIC) containing hexadecylammonium chloride (HAC). Prior reports also indicated a methanol Loblolly pine extract (LPE) was inhibitory against termites. This study compared the effects of HAC and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) combined with LPE and BO on termites and wood-decay fungi. Vacuum/pressure impregnation was used to treat wood and resistance evaluated after exposure to termites and decay fungi. The combination of BO and either HAC/AIC or DDAC/AIC reduced wood mass losses by termites, increased termite mortality and inhibited all wood-decay fungi. The HAC/AIC and DDAC/AIC resulted in equivalent mass losses by termites and termite mortalities. The DDAC was slightly more inhibitory than the HAC against wood-decay fungi. Given the slight advantage of DDAC over HAC and because DDAC is currently used to preserve wood, DDAC might be preferred over HAC. The LPE had a very minor effect on mass loss by termites, termite mortality and had only a slight inhibitory effect on G. trabeum and T. versicolor, while R. placenta and I. lacteus were unaffected. Higher concentrations of DDAC and/or LPE might improve protection against termites and wood-decay fungi.