Cellulose digestion in heterotmes indicola, Wasmann and Coptotermes HIEMI Wasmann

  • J. N. Misra Defence Research Laboratory (Stores), Kanpur
  • S. K. Ranganathan Defence Research Laboratory (Stores), Kanpur
  • P. K. Vijayaraghavan Defence Research Laboratory (Stores), Kanpur
Keywords: Cellulose digestion, Cellobiase

Abstract

High activities of cellulose and cellobiase have been found in the gut extracts of the worker caste of two species of Heterotermes indicola, Wasmann and Coptotermes heimi, Wasmann. The properties of the two enzymes from H. Indicola have been investigated. It has been found that the soldier caste of these termites is capable of splitting cellobiose while incapable of breaking down cellulose into simpler sugars.
Published
2014-05-28
How to Cite
Misra, J., Ranganathan, S., & Vijayaraghavan, P. (2014). Cellulose digestion in heterotmes indicola, Wasmann and Coptotermes HIEMI Wasmann. Defence Science Journal, 10(3), 244-258. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.10.7666
Section
Research Papers