Anti-termite and anti-fungal activity test of ethanolic extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves

Wood damage caused by the ground termite Coptotermes curvignathus and the rotting fungus Schizophyllum commune is a major problem in the tropics. This study aims to evaluate the anti-termite and anti-fungal activity of the ethanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves as a natural wood preservative. Extraction was carried out by the maceration method, and the extracts were tested at 2–10% concentration using a Complete Random Design with three replicates. Termite mortality and weight loss of the test paper were observed for 21 days, while inhibition of fungal growth was observed for 7 days. Data were statistically analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and the Pairwise Comparisons follow-up test with Bonferroni correction at 95% confidence level (p