Termite Nests as an Abundant Source of Cultivable Actinobacteria for Biotechnological Purposes

Abstract

A total of 118 actinobacterial isolates were collected from the three types of termite nests (mound, carton, and subterranean nests) to evaluate their potential as a source of bioactive actinobacteria with antimicrobial activity. The highest number (67 isolates) and generic abundance (7 known genera) of actinobacterial isolates were obtained from carton nests. Streptomyces was the dominant genus in each type of termite nest. In the non-Streptomyces group, Nocardia was the dominant genus detected in mound and carton nests, while Pseudonocardia was the dominant genus in subterranean nests. A discovery trend of novel species (<99% similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence) was also observed in the termite nests examined. Each type of termite nest housed >20% of bioactive actinobacteria that could inhibit the growth of at least one test organism, while 12 isolates, belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Amycolatopsis, Pseudonocardia, Micromonospora and Nocardia, exhibited distinct antimicrobial activities. Streptomyces sp. CMU-NKS-3 was the most distinct bioactive isolate. It was closely related to S. padanus MITKK-103T, which was confirmed by 99% similarities in their 16S rRNA gene sequences. The highest level of extracellular antimicrobial substances was produced by the isolate CMU-NKS-3, which was grown in potato dextrose broth and exhibited a wide range (6.10×10−4–1.25 mg mL−1) of minimum inhibitory concentrations against diverse pathogens. We concluded that termite nests are an abundant source of bioactive strains of cultivable actinobacteria for future biotechnological needs.

Phylogenomic analysis of 589 metagenome-assembled genomes encompassing all major prokaryotic lineages from the gut of higher termites

“…Among these 71 MAGs, were recovered from humus feeders, 33 from soil feeders but only 2 from wood feeders, which suggests a higher prevalence in termites with a more humified diet. This phylum is known to be present and of significant abundance in both the nest (Sujada, Sungthong & Lumyong, 2014) and gut of termites (Le Roes-Hill, Rohland & Burton, 2011), but to be more abundant in the nest (Moreira et al, 2018). This was for instance the case for the families Acidimicrobiaceae, Nocardiaceae, Promicromonosporaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Nocardioidaceae, and Propionibacteriaceae, which were more abundant in the nest than in the gut of workers or soldiers of Procornitermes araujoi (Moreira et al, 2018).…”

Environmental Sustainability: A Review of Termite Mound Soil Material and Its Bacteria

“…Termite mound soils serve as unique natural habitats which harbor and uphold several microorganisms, of which the predominant ones are bacteria [9]. A termite mound is built by a mixture of clay components and organic carbon cemented by secretions, excreta, or saliva deposited by termites [10]. The architectural shapes of termite mounds include cathedral, dome, conical, lenticular, and mushroom-like [11].…”

“…Termite mound soils could be used as a bulking agent [20] and for silo construction for short-term grain storage [21]. Furthermore, some bacteria isolated from termite mound soil could be utilized in an ecofriendly way as a potential material for antimicrobial production [10,22], bacteria isolated from termite mound soil could be utilized in an ecofriendly way as a potential material for antimicrobial production [10,22], biofertilizers, and biocontrol [23]. This can increase soil fertility and enhance crop production, thereby guaranteeing environmental sustainability ( Figure 1) [24,25].…”

Antimicrobial Production by an Actinomycetes Isolated from The Termite Nest

“…Termite colonies are often found in a protective structure called a "termite nest". The termite nest is made from a mineral matrix mixed by the depo-280 Volume 8 | Number 3 | September | 2018 sition of clay particles or plant materials, organic carbon, with feces or saliva, depending on the termite species and forms a specific habitat for soil microbes since the physical and chemical properties are different from the surrounding soil [12,13]. There are three types of termite nest, which are mounds nest (upper ground), carton nest (on trees), and subterranean nest (underground).…”

“…Recent studies reported that Actinomycetes were identified as one of the dominant bacteria in this symbiotic of termite's lifestyle. These symbiotic between Actinomycetes and termites provides assisting functions for termites, such as nutrient cycling and exchange, and also protect termites from invading pathogens [13]. Some of these termite-associated Actinomycetes may also exhibit lignin-cellulolytic activity [17] and antagonistic activity against diverse pathogens [10,18].…”