Isolation and identification of chitin-degrading bacteria from the hindgut of Macrotermes barneyi

Abstract:

[Objective] This study aims to isolate and identify chitin-degradation bacteria from the hindgut of a fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi. [Methods] Using an oligotrophic medium containing chitin as the only carbon source, chitin-degradation bacteria were screened and identified based on the transparent zone around the clone and morphological, physiological and biochemical properties as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. [Results] Eight chitin-degradation strains, which belong to Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Cellulomonas, Dactylosporangium, Flavobacterium, Paenibacillus, Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas, were isolated from the gut of M. barneyi. In addition to chitinase activity, the strains also exhibit β-glucosidase and endoglucanase activities. [Conclusion] Eight chitin-degradation strains, which also have other carbohydrate-active degradation activities, were obtained from the hindgut of M. barneyi. The study can help us understanding how gut symbionts facilitate termite in its food digest.