Abstract
Wood vinegar (WV), also known as pyroligneous acid, is a liquid byproduct of making charcoal or biochar. The range of biomass feedstock used to produce WV includes agricultural residues, forestry residues, nuts, seeds, grasses, aquatic plants, and wood-processing waste. WV is made up of various organic compounds, including acetic acid, methanol, acetone, as well as phenols, aldehydes, ketones, and several other compounds. It has a variety of potential uses in agriculture and other industries. It is believed to possess insecticidal properties and can be applied as a termiticide. Despite promising preliminary data suggesting reduced environmental impact compared to conventional chemical treatments, wood vinegar’s termiticidal efficacy remains unclear due to disparate research efforts and inconclusive outcomes. This critical review systematically synthesizes existing literature to provide clarity on the efficacy of wood vinegar as a sustainable termite control agent.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
References
Adfa M, Kusnanda AJ, Saputra WD et al (2017) Termiticidal activity of Toona sinensis wood vinegar against Coptotermes Curvignathus Holmgren. Rasayan J Chem 10:1088–1093. https://doi.org/10.7324/RJC.2017.1041866
Adfa M, Romayasa A, Kusnanda AJ et al (2020) Chemical Components, Antitermite and Antifungal activities of Cinnamomum Parthenoxylon Wood vinegar. J Korean Wood Sci Technol 48:107–116. https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2020.48.1.107
Aguirre JL, Baena J, Martín MT et al (2020) Herbicidal effects of wood vinegar on nitrophilous plant communities. Food Energy Secur 9(4):e253. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.253
Al-Murmidhi MMAF, Al-Hasnawi MRA (2019) The toxicity of phenolic compounds to some plants in the cumulative loss of the adult stages of domestic flies. Musca domestica (Diptera:Muscidae). J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1294 062009. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1294/6/062009
An L (2020) The method for static composting treatment of the landscaping waste. Front Energy Res 8:24. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00024
Arsyad WO, Basri E, Hendra D, Trisatya DR (2019) Termite Resistance of Impregnated Jabon Wood (Anthocephalus Cadamba Miq.) With combined Impregnant agents. J Korean Wood Sci Technol 47:451–458. https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2019.47.4.451
Arsyad WOM, Efiyanti L, Trisatya DR (2020) Termiticidal activity and Chemical Components of Bamboo Vinegar against subterranean termites under different pyrolysis temperatures. J Korean Wood Sci Technol 48:641–650. https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2020.48.5.641
Baimark Y, Niamsa N (2009) Study on wood vinegars for use as coagulating and antifungal agents on the production of natural rubber sheets. Biomass Bioenergy 33:994–998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2009.04.001
Bedmutha R, Booker CJ, Ferrante L et al (2011) Insecticidal and bactericidal characteristics of the bio-oil from the fast pyrolysis of coffee grounds. J Anal Appl Pyrol 90:224–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2010.12.011
Benzon HRL, Lee SC (2017) Pyroligneous acids enhance phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-contaminated soils using mustard. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 48:2061–2073. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2017.1406102
Bonanomi G, Jesu G, Zotti M et al (2021) Biochar-derived smoke-water exerts biological effects on nematodes, insects, and higher plants but not fungi. Sci Total Environ 750:142307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142307
Bridgwater AV (2003) Renewable fuels and chemicals by thermal processing of biomass. Chem Eng J 91:87–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1385-8947(02)00142-0
Bridgwater AV (2012) Review of fast pyrolysis of biomass and product upgrading. Biomass Bioenergy 38:68–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.048
Chauhan NS, Punia A, Sohal SK (2020) Insecticidal effects of phenolic compounds on the development of polyphagous spodoptera litura larvae. Allelopathy J 50:185–194. https://doi.org/10.26651/allelo.j/2020-50-2-1283
Coles CA, Arisi JA, Organ M, Veinott GI (2014) Leaching of Chromium, copper, and Arsenic from CCA-Treated Utility poles. Appl Environ Soil Sci 2014:e167971. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/167971
Fagernäs L, Kuoppala E, Tiilikkala K, Oasmaa A (2012) Chemical composition of Birch Wood slow pyrolysis products. Energy Fuels 26:1275–1283. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef2018836
Fanfarillo E, Fedeli R, Fiaschi T et al (2022) Effects of Wood Distillate on Seedling Emergence and First-Stage growth in five threatened arable plants. Diversity 14:669. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080669
Fikes JD (1990) Organophosphorus and Carbamate insecticides. Veterinary clinics of North America. Small Anim Pract 20:353–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-5616(90)50029-7
Gao Z-T, Li Z-C, Jiang Q et al (2021) A method for preparing Environment-friendly snow-melting Agent from Wood vinegar. Chin J Appl Chem 38:1022–1024. https://doi.org/10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.210105
Gautam S, Samiksha, Chimni SS et al (2021) Toxic effects of purified phenolic compounds from Acacia nilotica against common cutworm. Toxicon 203:22–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.09.017
Grewal A, Abbey, Lord, Gunupuru LR (2018) Production, prospects and potential application of pyroligneous acid in agriculture. J Anal Appl Pyrol 135:152–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2018.09.008
Haigh W, Hassan B, Hayes RA (2022) West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis, in Australia: current understanding, ongoing issues, and future needs. Australian Forestry 85(4):211–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2022.2156361
Haji AG, Mas’ud ZA, Pari G (2012) Identifikasi Senyawa Bioaktif Antifeedant Dari Asap Cair Hasil Pirolisis Sampah Organik Perkotaan. Bumi Lestari 12:1–8
Hashemi S, Safavi S, Estaji A (2014) Insecticidal activity of wood vinegar mixed with Salvia leriifolia (Benth.) Extract against Lasioderma serricorne (F). Biharean Biologist 8:5–11
Hassan B, Fitzgerald C (2023) Potential of gas-propelled aerosol containing synergized pyrethrins for localized treatment of Cryptotermes brevis (Kalotermitidae: Blattodea). Insects 14(6):522. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060522
Ho C-L, Lin C-S, Li L-H et al (2021) Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator expression in macrophages using wood vinegar from Griffith’s ash. Chin J Physiol 64:232–243. https://doi.org/10.4103/cjp.cjp_54_21
Homayoonzadeh M, Talebi K, Torabi E et al (2022) Effects of pyroligneous acid on life history and physiology of two pyralid pests of stored products. J Stored Prod Res 97:101971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2022.101971
Hosakul P, Kantachote D, Saritpongteeraka K et al (2020) Upgrading industrial effluent for agricultural reuse: effects of digestate concentration and wood vinegar dosage on biosynthesis of plant growth promotor. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:14589–14600. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08014-w
Kadir R, Sarif Mohd Ali M, Kartal SN et al (2022) Chemical characterization of pyrolysis liquids from Dyera costulata and evaluation of their bio-efficiency against subterranean termites, Coptotermes Curvignathus. Eur J Wood Prod 80:45–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-021-01732-z
Kartal SN, Imamura Y, Tsuchiya F, Ohsato K (2004) Preliminary evaluation of fungicidal and termiticidal activities of filtrates from biomass slurry fuel production. Bioresour Technol 95:41–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2004.02.005
Kartal SN, Terzi E, Kose C et al (2011) Efficacy of tar oil recovered during slow pyrolysis of macadamia nut shells. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 65:369–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2010.08.011
Keefer TC, Gold RE (2014) Recovery from leachate and soil samples of fipronil at termiticide concentration. Southwest Entomol 39:705–716. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.039.0402
Kim DH, Seo HE, Lee S, Lee K (2008) Effects of wood vinegar mixted with insecticides on the mortalities of nilaparvata lugens and laodelphax striatellus (homoptera: Delphacidae). Anim Cells Syst 12:47–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/19768354.2008.9647153
Lee CL, Chin KL, Khoo PS et al (2022) Production and potential application of Pyroligneous acids from rubberwood and Oil Palm Trunk as Wood preservatives through Vacuum-pressure impregnation treatment. Polymers 14:3863. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183863
Ma J, Islam F, Ayyaz A et al (2022) Wood vinegar induces salinity tolerance by alleviating oxidative damages and protecting photosystem II in rapeseed cultivars. Ind Crops Prod 189:115763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.115763
Mansur D, Yoshikawa T, Norinaga K et al (2011) Production of ketones from pyroligneous acid of woody biomass pyrolysis over an iron-oxide catalyst. Fuel 103:130–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.04.003
Mao H, Zhang H, Fu Q et al (2019) Effects of four additives in pig manure composting on greenhouse gas emission reduction and bacterial community change. Bioresour Technol 292:121896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121896
Mathew S, Zakaria ZA (2015) Pyroligneous acid—the smoky acidic liquid from plant biomass. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 99:611–622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-014-6242-1
Mattos C, Veloso MCC, Romeiro GA, Folly E (2019) Biocidal applications trends of bio-oils from pyrolysis: characterization of several conditions and biomass, a review. J Anal Appl Pyrol 139:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2018.12.029
McDonald J, Fitzgerald C, Hassan B, Morrell JJ (2022) Thermal tolerance of an invasive drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae). J Therm Biol 104:103199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103199
Medeiros LCD, Gasparotto LHS (2022) Pyroligneous acid and antibacterial activity: criticism of a paper by Araújo et al. (2018). J Appl Microbiol 132:1768–1770. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15281
Mhamdi R (2023) Evaluating the evolution and impact of wood vinegar research: a bibliometric study. J Anal Appl Pyrol. 175:10190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2023.106190.
Mmojieje J, Hornung A (2015) The potential application of Pyroligneous Acid in the UK Agricultural Industry. J Crop Improv 29:228–246. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2014.995328
Mohan D, Shi J, Nicholas DD et al (2008) Fungicidal values of bio-oils and their lignin-rich fractions obtained from wood/bark fast pyrolysis. Chemosphere 71:456–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.10.049
Narasimhan S, Kannan S, Ilango K, Maharajan G (2005) Antifeedant activity of Momordica dioica fruit pulp extracts on Spodoptera litura. Fitoterapia 76:715–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.07.001
Neto PS, Barbosa Negrisoli RC, Negrisoli C AS (2018) Association between entomopathogenic nematodes and non-synthetic insecticides for improved control of Nasutitermes spp. (Isoptera: Termitidae) in sugarcane plantations. Int J Pest Manage 64:3–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2017.1292372
Nunkaew T, Kantachote D, Chaiprapat S et al (2018) Use of wood vinegar to enhance 5-aminolevulinic acid production by selected Rhodopseudomonas palustris in rubber sheet wastewater for agricultural use. Saudi J Biol Sci 25:642–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.01.028
Oramahi HA, Yoshimura T (2013) Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar from Vitex pubescens Vahl. J Wood Sci 59:344–350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-013-1340-8
Oramahi HA, Diba F, Nurhaida (2014) New Bio Preservatives from Lignocelluloses Biomass Bio-oil for Anti termites Coptotermes Curvignathus Holmgren. Procedia Environ Sci 20:778–784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2014.03.094
Oramahi HA, Yoshimura T, Diba F et al (2018) Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar from oil palm trunk. J Wood Sci 64:311–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-018-1703-2
Oramahi HA, Tindaon MJ, Nurhaida N et al (2022) Termicidal activity and Chemical Components of Wood Vinegar from Nipah Fruit against Coptotermes Curvignathus. J Korean Wood Sci Technol 50:315–324. https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2022.50.5.315
Oramahi HA, Permana RD, Diba F, Indrayani Y (2023) The composition and termicidal activity of vinegar from Medang Wood (Cinnamomum sp.) under different pyrolysis temperature. Floresta E Ambiente 30(3):e20230016. https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-FLORAM-2023-0016
Prabowo H, Handoko S, Miswarti et al (2021) Bio oil of waste tobacco stem: extraction, physicochemical properties, and its biological activities. J Drug Alcohol Res 10(3).
Rust MK, Su N-Y (2012) Managing Social insects of Urban Importance. Ann Rev Entomol 57:355–375. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-120710-100634
Scheffrahn RH, Su N-Y, Busey P (1997) Laboratory and field evaluations of selected Chemical treatments for control of Drywood termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae). J Econ Entomol 90:492–502. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/90.2.492
Seehavet S, Tangkawanit U (2019) Estimation of median lethal concentrations (LC 50) of the controlling substances against Scirtothrips dorsalis in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Acta Hortic 169–176. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1237.22
Shen S-W, Zhang D-D, Wang M-G, Wang X-D (2022) Effects of Combined Application of Wood vinegar-acidified Biochar and Nitrogen on active Nitrogen and Ammonia volatilization in saline soil. Huanjing Kexue/Environmental Sci 43:2779–2787. https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202108105
Song Z, Wang Y, Zhu J et al (2022) Sustainable production of environmentally-friendly calcium acetate deicer from wood vinegar by ozonation. Ind Crops Prod 180:114775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114775
Souza J, Ré N Jr J (2012) Characterization of Pyroligneous Acid used in Agriculture by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. J Braz Chem Soc 23:610–617. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-50532012000400005
Staden JV, Brown NAC, Jäger AK, Johnson TA (2000) Smoke as a germination cue. Plant Species Biol 15:167–178. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-1984.2000.00037.x
Su N-Y (2015) A fluid bait for remedial control of subterranean termites. J Econ Entomol 108:274–276. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/tou039
Suqi L, Caceres L, Schieck K et al (2014) Insecticidal activity of Bio-oil from the pyrolysis of Straw from Brassica Spp. J Agric Food Chem 62:3610–3618. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf500048t
Surboyo M, Savitri ED, Arundina I et al (2021) The potential of liquid smoke as an oral ulcer remedies: a proposed mechanism based on systematic review. J Pharm Pharmacognosy Res 9:905–920. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres21.1107_9.6.905
Takahara Y, Katoh K, Inaba R, Iwata H (1994) [Study on odor control using wood vinegars (II). Application of wood vinegars to piggery wastes]. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi 41:147–156
Temiz A, Akbas S, Panov D et al (2013) Chemical composition and efficiency of Bio-oil obtained from Giant Cane (Arundo donax L.) as a Wood Preservative. BioResources 8:2084–2098. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.8.2.2084-2098
Theapparat Y, Chandumpai A, Leelasuphakul W, Laemsak N (2015) Pyroligneous acids from carbonisation of wood and bamboo: their components and antifungal activity. J Trop for Sci 27:517–526
Theapparat Y, Ponglimanont C, Chandumpai A, Laemsak N (2018) In vitro antioxidant evaluation of wood vinegars from carbonization of wood and bamboo. Chiang Mai J Sci 45:868–880
Thoison O, Sévenet T, Niemeyer HM, Russell GB (2004) Insect antifeedant compounds from Nothofagus dombeyi and N. Pumilio. Phytochemistry 65:2173–2176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2004.04.002
Uddin SMM, Murayama S, Ishimine Y et al (1995) Studies on sugarcane cultivation: II. Effects of the mixture of charcoal with pyroligneous acid on dry matter production and root growth of summer planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L). Japanese J crop Sci 64:747–753. https://doi.org/10.1626/jcs.64.747
UNEP UN (2000) UNEP annual report 2000. In: UNEP - UN Environment Programme. http://www.unep.org/resources/annual-report/unep-annual-report-2000. Accessed 2 Mar 2023
Vargo E, Husseneder C (2008) Biology of Subterranean termites: insights from Molecular studies of Reticulitermes and Coptotermes. Ann Rev Entomol 54:379–403. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.54.110807.090443
Verma M, Sharma S, Prasad R (2009) Biological alternatives for termite control: a review. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 63:959–972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2009.05.009
Wang J, Potoroko I, Tsirulnichenko L (2021) Wood vinegar and chitosan compound preservative affects on fish balls stability. Food Bioscience 42:101102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2021.101102
Wang X, Liu X, Wang Z et al (2022) Greenhouse gas reduction and nitrogen conservation during manure composting by combining biochar with wood vinegar. J Environ Manage 324:116349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116349
War AR, Paulraj MG, Ahmad T et al (2012) Mechanisms of plant defense against insect herbivores. Plant Signal Behav 7:1306–1320. https://doi.org/10.4161/psb.21663
Wititsiri S (2011) Production of wood vinegars from coconut shells and additional materials for control of termite workers, Odontotermes sp. and striped mealy bugs, Ferrisia virgata. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 33:349–354.
Xu X, Jiang E, Sun Y, Li Z (2017) Influence of mixed supports on the Steam Catalytic Reforming of Wood vinegar. Energy Fuels 31:1678–1688. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b03000
Yahayu M, Mahmud KN, Mahamad MN et al (2017) Efficacy of Pyroligneous Acid from Pineapple Waste Biomass as Wood Preserving Agent. J Teknol 79(4). https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v79.9987.
Yatagai M, Nishimoto M, Hori K et al (2002) Termiticidal activity of wood vinegar, its components and their homologues. J Wood Sci 48:338–342. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00831357
Zaki MS, Hammam AM, Youssef RA, El-Awadi ME (2015) Toxicokinetics of organophosphours compounds. Adv Environ Biology 9:79–86
Zhao N, Xin H, Li Z et al (2019) Supplemental feeding of laying hens with Wood Vinegar to decrease the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in Eggs. Chem Res Chin Univ 35:983–989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40242-019-9140-3
Zhou X, Shi A, Rensing C et al (2022) Wood vinegar facilitated growth and Cd/Zn phytoextraction of Sedum Alfredii Hance by improving rhizosphere chemical properties and regulating bacterial community. Environ Pollut 305:119266, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119266
Zhou H, Shen Y, Zhang N et al (2024) Wood fiber biomass pyrolysis solution as a potential tool for plant disease management: a review. Heliyon 10(3): e25509, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25509
Acknowledgements
Not applicable.
Funding
The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Ridha Mhamdi had the idea for the article, performed the literature search and data analysis, and wrote the paper. Najla Trabelsi revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent to publish
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Trabelsi, N., Mhamdi, R. Wood vinegar’s role in termite control: from mystery to reality. Eur. J. Wood Prod. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-024-02093-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-024-02093-z