Isolation and identification of cellulose demoting symbionts from gut of subterranean termite, Odontotermes obesus

Abstract

The study was carried out to isolate and identify the symbionts, viz. cellulose demoting bacteria and fungus in termite gut. The experiment was conducted during (February 2013- July 2013) at biotechnology laboratory, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology, Gurgaon (Haryana). Termites are wood eating insects and are among the most important ligno cellulose- digesting insects and possess a variety of symbiotic microorganisms in their gut. Nutrient agar, potato dextrose and Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) were used to isolate the dry bacterial strain and fungus. The cellulose is demoted in termite gut by the production of cellulase enzyme which is detected by Congo red stain. Colony morphology and staining technique such as Gram's staining, Congo red staining and oxidase test for bacterial strain gave an idea for the presence of genera Citrobacter and Enterobacter. Aspergillus nidulans has been isolated and identified at division of plant pathology, IARI, New Delhi. These bacteria and fungus were able to assimilate CMC which aid in digestion of cellulose in subterranean termite Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and this study abetted to understand more about the symbionts associated with digestive mechanism of termites.

Keywords

• Bacteria
• Cellulose
• Fungi
• Identification
• Isolation
• Odontotermes obesus