The objective of this study was to determine the effects of extracts from both Eastern Red Cedar (ERC) and Loblolly Pine (LP) on subterranean termites and four species of wood decay fungi (two brown-rot and two white-rot). In addition, amylose inclusion complexes (AIC) with two different ammonium chlorides (a primary and a quaternary amine) were compared for their bioactivity. The results will be used to design treatments to convert/upgrade non-durable wood into more valuable durable wood. Wood blocks were treated by vacuum/pressure impregnation and subsequently exposed to termites and wood decay fungi Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by measuring percentage wood mass loss and termite mortality. Both the ERC and LP extracts had inhibitory effects on wood mass loss by termites and increased termite mortality compared to controls. Both ammonium chloride AICs had inhibitory effects on wood mass loss by termites and increased termite mortality and were comparable to one another. The extract from ERC inhibited all four species of decay fungi, however, the LP extract only had an inhibitory effect on one species of white-rot fungi. Both ammonium chloride AICs had inhibitory effects on wood mass loss by all four species decay fungi and were comparable to one another. The treatment combination containing both the ERC and LP extracts and either AIC gave the best overall wood protection for termites. However, the inclusion of the LP extract only improved protection for one species of decay fungi. Projected use and production costs will determine the cost effectiveness of a given treatment.
