Xylinasic and amylasic activities of some microorganisms in the digestive exudate of termites (Macrotermes Subhyalinus and Macrotermes Bellicosus)

Abstract

Termites areterrestrial insects involved in the degradation of complex substances such ascellulose and hemicellulose found into the plant. They thus influence soilproperties and contribute to the emission of methane gas. The ability of theseIsoptera to digest complexes molecules may associated to the enzymatic activityof intestinal microorganisms. The overall aim of this study was to isolate andmake a presumptive identification of cultivable microorganisms in the digestivetract of termites Macrotermes subhyalynus and Macrotermes bellicosus harvested.And search for glycosidase activities produced by the microflora. To achievethis goal 120 insects belonging to two castes (Macrotermes subhyalynus andMacrotermes bellicosus) were collected on termite mounds located at the FelixHouphouet Boigny University of Cocody (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire). The intestinesof these Isoptera were collected under aseptic conditions and seeded on agarPCA, VRBL, MRS and Sabouraud chloramphenicol. Moreover, the enzymaticactivities were investigated in bacteria obtained according to the method ofBernfeld (1955). The results show that in both species of termites, Gram +bacilli had the majority. On nutrient agar, genera Bacillus, Streptococcus andEnterococcus were identified. On MRS agar, the genera Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium and Lactococcus have been identified. On agar VRBL, generaEnterobacter, Yersinia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Serratia, Escherichia andYersinia were isolated. Finally, amylasic activities were observed in yeaststrains and Lactobacillus. The xylanasic activity was produced by yeast strainsof Bacillus and two unidentified strains.