African Locust Bean Pod Extract: A Green Solution for Bamboo Preservation

There is high demand for sustainable building materials bringing bamboo into the spotlight due to its rapid growth, versatility, and environmental benefits. However, its susceptibility to biological degradation especially by termites limits its broader application in construction and furniture industries. Towards achieving SDG 15 (life on land), environmental concerns surrounding synthetic wood preservatives surge. There is therefore the need to identifying natural and biodegradable alternatives to curb this menace. Agricultural by-products such as the African Locust Bean Pod Husk (ALBPH) offer untapped potential for development into eco-friendly wood preservatives. This study therefore investigated the potential of African Locust Bean Pod Husk (ALBPH) extract as a natural preservative to enhance the resistance of Bambusa vulgaris to termite attack. ALBPH extract was prepared by soaking 250g, 500g, and 750g of pounded husk in 3000mL of either water or ethanol for 24 hours, followed by filtration. Bamboo samples were immersed in the extracts for five days to ensure adequate absorption and then oven-dried. After 12 weeks of termite exposure, percentage weight loss was measured for five replicates of each treated sample (500mm × 25mm × 10-20mm). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Treated samples exhibited weight loss ranging from 7.29% to 18.61%, while untreated controls showed the highest loss at 38.78%. Water-extracted ALBPH resulted in 8.29 to 18.42% weight loss, while ethanol extracts yielded 7.29 to 18.61%. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two solvent types. The findings suggest that ALBPH extract, particularly in water-based form, is a promising, eco-friendly preservative for bamboo. This study therefore recommends that further research be conducted to optimize the concentration and application method of ALBPH extracts for large-scale use. Additionally, long-term field trials under varying environmental conditions are encouraged to validate the preservative potential of ALBPH. Given its promising performance and eco-friendly nature, water-based ALBPH extract can be promoted as a sustainable alternative to synthetic preservatives for protecting bamboo in rural and urban construction applications.