Diversity of Cellulolytic Microorganisms Associated with the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes grassei

Abstract

Reticulitermes grassei is a subterranean termite species that forages on woody structures of the Iberian Peninsula, and is often a building and crops pest. A total of 23 microorganisms associated with the activity of R. grassei were isolated from colonized ecosystems in southern Spain. They were morphologically and molecularly characterized, with fungi being the most prevalent ones. The fungi showed high values of optimum growth temperature, suggesting that they could be able to survive and develop in warm regions. Their cellulolytic activity was tested in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) agar, concluding that all fungal isolates produce cellulases, and the enzymatic index (EI) was revealed in CMC agar with Gram’s iodine solution, with Penicillium citrinum showing the highest EI and Trichoderma longibrachiatum the highest mycelial growth rate on CMC. A preliminary microorganism dispersion assay was carried out with the termites, concluding that these insects may have a positive influence on fungal dispersion and the subsequent colonization of new substrates. Our study suggests that fungi associated with R. grassei may potentially be of interest in biotechnological fields such as biofuel production and the food industry.

Cellulolytic and Ethanologenic Evaluation of Heterotermes indicola’s Gut-Associated Bacterial Isolates

“…The gut of termites possesses large diversity of cellulolytic bacteria involved in digestion and degradation of lignolellulosic substrate and sugars. 23 , 25 , 68 − 70 Hence, the study supported the idea of the presence of cellulose-degrading bacteria in the digestive tract of termites. Twenty six bacterial isolates were selected on CMC-supplemented medium from the samples of both sites.…”

“…On the basis of massive wooden damage, it is ranked as the most destructive domestic pest in Lahore. , The purpose of study is the isolation, characterization, and exploitation of termite harboring bacteria for cellulolysis and ethanologenesis. The gut of termites possesses large diversity of cellulolytic bacteria involved in digestion and degradation of lignolellulosic substrate and sugars. ,,− Hence, the study supported the idea of the presence of cellulose-degrading bacteria in the digestive tract of termites. Twenty six bacterial isolates were selected on CMC-supplemented medium from the samples of both sites.…”

“…A variety of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative anaerobic microbes have the potential to breakdown cellulosic biomass. , The metabolic, physiological, and efficient enzyme machinery of the microbe contributes for considerable carbon flow in the biosphere. ,, As for animals, LCB is a poor nutritional food source and remains undigested due to lack of cellulolytic machinery and metabolic pathway. Termites play a havoc, being highly destructive to wooden structures and other cellulosic material, causing an estimated amount of $3 billion loss annually worldwide. , They possess an ability to digest cellulose efficiently. − Due to their lignocellulosic biomass recycling potential, they play a vital role in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean ecosystems. , In the detritus food chain, they are the main decomposers due to their own cellulolytic system that is enhanced by the presence of cellulose-degrading microbes in their gut. − …”

“…19 , 20 They possess an ability to digest cellulose efficiently. 21 − 23 Due to their lignocellulosic biomass recycling potential, they play a vital role in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean ecosystems. 24 , 25 In the detritus food chain, they are the main decomposers due to their own cellulolytic system that is enhanced by the presence of cellulose-degrading microbes in their gut.…”

Trichoderma metabolites trigger aggregation behavior in Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus)

“…Carbonero‐Pacheco et al . (2023) isolated T. asperellum and T. longibrachiatum from decomposed wood colonized by Reticulitermes grassei Clament. In our study, Trichoderma strains were isolated from the bodies of C. formosanus (cuticle or gut) and their habitats (soil in or around termite monitors).…”