Toxic Effects of Ficus benghalensis Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Enzymatic Parameters in Indian White Termite Odontotermes obesus

In the present investigation, various bioassays were conducted to evaluate the alteration in levels of various enzymes i.e. alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and acetylcholinesterase. For this purpose worker termites were treated with sub-lethal doses of 40% and 80% of 24 hrs LD₅₀ of latex-based combinatorial formulations and observations were taken at 4 hours intervals up to 24 hours. Ficus benghalensis crude latex and its combinatorial mixtures, like C-MLT-A, CU-MLT-A, AQ-MLT, P-MLT and EA-MLT significantly altered the level of enzymes in Odontotermes obesus and this effect found time and dose-dependent. Reduction or increase in enzymes was calculated by using the corresponding control. The maximum decrease in acid phosphatase level was observed at 16 h when termites were treated with 80% of LD₅₀ of B-MLT-B and P-MLT i.e. 82.84% at 16 h of treatment. A similar dose caused a very slight decrease in glutamate pyruvate transaminase at 4 h of treatment but with the increase in time. Further decrease was noted in other successive treatments that were significant at p > 0.05. Similarly, 40% and 80% of LD₅₀ of the C-MLT-B mixture caused significant (p > 0.05) decrease in alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase level at 16 h treatment i.e. 93.42%, 89.46% and 95.89%, 88.17% respectively. The level of acetylcholinesterase was also found to be decreased when termites were treated with 40% and 80% of LD₅₀ of C-MLT-B mixture i.e. 92.72% and 97.27% respectively. All the above alterations noted in levels of various enzymes confirm the action of latex ingredients on worker termites that were anti-feedant or deterrent types. These ingredients can be used to control not only termites but also other phytophagous insects.