Short Communication 

Anti-termite and antimicrobial properties of paint made from Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schum. oil extract

P. G. Kareru¹*, J. M. Keriko¹, G. M. Kenji² and A. N. Gachanja¹

¹Chemistry Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

²Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Corresponding author. Email: pgkareru@yahoo.com,  patgkareru@gmail.com. Tel: +254-6752-223. Fax: +254-6752-446.

Accepted 5 January, 2010

 Abstract

Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum. seed oil was used to make a surface coating with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-termite properties. The paint exhibited inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans in a concentration dependent manner. The antibacterial activities were statistically significant (p = 0.05). The repellent action of paint against subterranean termites (Microtermes spp.) was significant (p = 0.03). From these results, it was concluded that the Thevetia peruviana-based oil paint was self-preserving against microbes and substantially protected wood from subterranean termite attack.

Key words: Thevetia peruviana, anti-termite, antifungal.