The development of simple field based procedures for extraction of volatiles from <i>Adenia cissampeloides</i> for subduing Afican honey bee (<i>Apis melifera adansonii</i>)

Abstract

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to develop procedures for extracting volatiles from the vine of Adenia cissampeloides which could effect the highest yield at the lowest extraction costs and also could be produced at the cottage industry level. The participatory rural appraisal technique was used to ensure high degree of local beekeepers' participation in the development of extraction procedures. The results indicated that extracts obtained by shaking thoroughly, pieces of crushed vine in a tightly closed flask in solvent alcohol for about six hours was as effective as extracts obtained by boiling the crushed vine in alcohol. Such cold extraction procedure should be most practical method for local beekeepers and could be useful for the small-scale work of beekeepers. To increase the shelf life of the extract, two formulations, namely, emulsifiable and fumigant were made. The relative efficacy of these formulations was estimated by comparing the bioactivity of the formulations against the bee in the laboratory. The efficacy of the emulsifiable extract was similar to the unformulated extract. The fumigant did not, however, have any visible subduing effect against the bee.

JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 2 No. 2 (2000) pp. 70-79