Termite Attractant Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Cajuput Seedling Root Extracts from Multistage Extraction

Cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi) is an ecologically and economically important plant in Indonesia; however, its productivity is often reduced by subterranean termite infestations. This study aimed to evaluate the termite attractant activity (TAA) and analyze the phytochemical profile of cajuput seedling root (CSR) extracts. The CSR was extracted using a multistage maceration method with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. The TAAs of the extracts were assessed based on the mass loss and mortality rates of the test papers exposed to termite colonies. The extracts were analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry to identify compounds. These results indicate that CSR extracts affected termite attraction and mortality. The n-hexane extract of CSRs exhibits strong potential as a termite attractant and biopesticide, with an lethal concentration value of 3,614.84 μg/mL and the highest test paper mass loss (26.96% at 1% concentration), linked to the presence of (E,E)-α-farnesene, oleanolic acid, eugenol, and other compounds with attractant properties. Mortality rates varied across solvents, with methanol extracts achieving up to 95.78% mortality at a concentration of 0.5%. These findings highlight the potential of cajuput root extracts as termite attractants and offer environmentally friendly solutions for termite control.