Isolation and characterization of endomicrobes from the gut of Odontotermes obesus

Abstract

Odontotermes obesus is a widely distributed termite in Pakistan. This termite species is of great significance and feeds on wood, surface debris, bark fragments, dry leaves and grasses. It’s a common wood eater damaging household timber. Termites harbor endomicrobes (eukaryotes and prokaryotes) which aid in cellulose digestion, recycling of CO 2 and also play an important role in acetogenesis, production of hydrogenases and nitrogen fixation. These microorganisms also retain the pH and microenvironment in the termite gut. Also maintain acetate concentration for energy production and anaerobic environment. In the present investigations the termites gut contents consisting of mainly bacteria were grown on nutrient agar plates and purified by repeated streaking. The isolates were stained with crystal violet and gram’s iodine and were identified as gram negative. For biochemical identifications of gram negative bacteria API 20E kit was used and three genera were recognized that are Cedecea, Erwinia and Enterobacter. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of Enterobacter genus isolated form Odontotermes obesus. These species of Cedecea, Erwinia and Enterobacter are commercially important for their capability of nitrogen fixation, acetate production and cellulose degradation.