Journal of Wood Science

, Volume 46, Issue 2, pp 149–153 | Cite as

Antifeedant activity of flavonoids and related compounds against the subterranean termiteCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki

  • Wakako Ohmura
  • Shuichi Doi
  • Masakazu Aoyama
  • Sciji Ohara
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Antifeedant activity of some flavonoids and their related compounds against the subterranean termiteCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki was examined with nochoice tests and two-choice tests. The activities of these compounds were evaluated in relation to their chemical structures. All flavonoids tested showed antifeedant activity, whereas catechinic acid, possessing no A-ring or pyran ring in the molecule, showed feeding-preference activity. For the structure-activity relations, it was found that compounds containing two hydroxyl groups at C-5 and C-7 in A-rings showed high antifeedant activity. Furthermore, the presence of a carbonyl group at C-4 in the pyran rings of the compounds was necessary for the occurrence of high activity. 3-Hydroxyflavones and 3-hydroxyflavanones with 3′,4′-dihydroxylated B-rings exhibited higher activity than those with 4′-hydroxylated B-rings.

Key words

Flavonoids Termite Antifeedant activity Structure-activity relations 
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Copyright information

© The Japan Wood Research Society 2000

Authors and Affiliations

  • Wakako Ohmura
    • 1
  • Shuichi Doi
    • 2
  • Masakazu Aoyama
    • 3
  • Sciji Ohara
    • 1
  1. 1.Forestry and Forest Products Research InstituteIbarakiJapan
  2. 2.Institute of Wood TechnologyAkita Prefectural UniversityNoshiroJapan
  3. 3.Hokkaido Forest Products Research InstituteAsahikawaJapan

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