<Original>Studies on Digestive System of Termites : II. Properties of Carbohydrolases of Termite Coptotermes formosanus SHIRAKI

Abstract

The digestion of carbohydrates in termite Coptotermes formosanus SHIRAKI was demonstrated to be carried out by co-operative action of carbohydrolases originated from both termites and protozoa. Cellulases and β-glycosidases were mainly ascribed to protozoa, while α-glucosidase and α-mannosidase are to termites. Gel nitration was shown to provide a useful purification method for carbohydrolases of termites, since the molecular weights of cellulases are lower than those of aryl-glycosidases. The effects of temperature, pH, metal ions and organic reagents including surfactants on the partially purified enzyme preparations toghether with isoelectric points (pI) were also determined. These results provided gross characteristics of carbohydrolases which may be useful for further elucidation of the digestive system of C. formosanus and for application of the enzymes to saccharification of lignocellulosic materials.