Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Antigen – epitope – or other immunospecific immunoeffector – Conjugate or complex
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-08
2001-07-24
Witz, Jean C. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Antigen, epitope, or other immunospecific immunoeffector
Conjugate or complex
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264956
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to novel termite-active extracts of tung tree (Aleurites spp.) wood and kernels (or seeds) and to compositions thereof. This invention also relates to a method for controlling termites using these extracts. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for using tung tree wood extracts as termite toxicants and deterrents and a method for using tung tree kernels as termite attractants. This invention additionally relates to an improved termite-control bait composition comprising extracts from tung tree wood and extracts from tung tree kernels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Subterranean termites cause millions of dollars in damages to wooden structures in the United States. This destruction is not limited to wooden structures alone—many commercial termiticides used to combat these pests are potential environmental contaminants and carcinogens. For example, the most common method of subterranean termite infestation prevention, which involves applying a chemical termiticide to a structure's peripheral grounds, often leads to soil and water contamination when applied improperly. Accordingly, it is desirable to find new means for controlling termites which do not pose such potential hazards.
Tung trees are grown in abundance in the Western Hemisphere along the Gulf Coast of the United States, particularly in the southeastern states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, and in South America. Until the present invention, the prime commercial interest in tung trees has been in the oil which is extracted from the fruit of the plant. Tung oil is a pale yellow, pungent, drying oil composed chiefly of unsaturated fatty acid glycerides useful as a waterproofing agent and as a component of quick-drying varnishes and paints.
Two processes, mechanical and chemical, are predominantly in use in the Western Hemisphere for tung oil extraction. In the United States, the principal means of tung oil extraction involves the application of mechanical force, such as by the use of a press mill, to the tung kernels to physically squeeze the oil therefrom. This initial pressing forces about 85 percent of the oil present out of the kernels. The balance of the oil, usually about 15 percent of the original quantity, is extracted with a solvent, such as hexane. Other tung nut processing plants, principally found in South America, extract the oil by means of a 100 percent chemical process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,567 describes an anti-feedant prepared from tung oil which is useful to deter boll weevils from puncturing the bolls of cotton plants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a termite-active extract of the wood from the tung tree Aleurites spp., of the spurge family, Eurphorbiaceae, preferably of the species
Aleurites fordii.
This invention also relates to a termite-active extract of the kernels from the tung tree Aleurites spp., of the spurge family, Eurphorbiaceae, preferably of the species
Aleurites fordii.
This invention also relates to a method for controlling termites at a locus which comprises applying to the locus an effective amount of the extract of the wood from the tung tree and/or an effective amount of the extract of the kernels of the tung tree.
This invention further relates to a method for killing termites at a locus, which comprises applying to the locus a termiticidally effective amount of the extract of the wood of the tung tree. Preferably, the locus is soil, timber or other wood-based products.
This invention further relates to a method of deterring termites from feeding on a locus which comprises applying to the locus the extract of the wood from the tung tree in an amount sufficient to deter termites from feeding thereon.
This invention additionally relates to a method for attracting termites to a locus, which comprises offering to the termites at the locus, an effective attractant amount of the extract of kernels from the tung tree.
This invention further relates to a termite bait composition comprising an effective attractant amount of the extract of the kernel of the tung tree and an effective amount of a termiticide, preferably, a termiticidally effective amount of the extract of the wood of the tung tree.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3634093 (1972-01-01), Huang
patent: 3839052 (1974-10-01), Peterson
patent: 3889025 (1975-06-01), Peterson
patent: 4293567 (1981-10-01), Jacobson
Hutchins Rachel A.
Reitenbach Daniel
Witz Jean C.
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