Cellulolytic activity of Actinomycetes isolated from termites (Termitidae) gut

Cellulolytic actinomycetes were isolated from the hindgut of four different termites: Macrotermes, Armitermes, Odontotermes and Microcerotermes spp. The isolated actinomycetes (Streptomyces sp. and Micromonospora sp.) were grown on cellulosic substrates and their extracellular cellulase (Cl, Cx and cellobiase) activity evaluated; using filter paper as a substrate for Cl, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) for Cx and d-cellobiose for cellobiase, all strains were shown to degrade soluble and insoluble cellulose; optimum pH for growth was 6.2–6.7 at 28°C; three strains could grow at 48°C on cellulosic substrates. Some strains exhibited high cellulase activity, constant for 5–7 days, but inhibition by glucose was a common feature for almost all isolates.