SCREENING OF SYMBIOTIC ENTEROBACTERIACEAE SPECIES FROM THE GUT OF Macrotermes subhyalinus AND Macrotermesbellicosus TERMITES

Termites play a crucial role in the recycling of organic matter through the activity of symbiotic microorganisms inhabiting their digestive tract. This study focused on the screening of symbiotic Enterobacteriaceae species from the gut of the termites Macrotermes subhyalinus and Macrotermes bellicosus collected in the shrub savanna of Lamto (Toumodi, Cote d Ivoire). Different termite castes (workers, minor soldiers, and major soldiers) were subjected to conventional microbiological analyses. Microorganisms were enumerated on selective media, and Enterobacteriaceae isolates were characterized using phenotypic and biochemical methods based on the API 20E identification system. The results showed that aerobic mesophilic bacteria were present in all castes of both termite species, with higher microbial loads observed in workers. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in all castes of Macrotermes subhyalinus, whereas they were found only in workers of Macrotermes bellicosus. A total of 118 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained, including 97 from M. subhyalinus and 21 from M. bellicosus. Biochemical characterization led to the identification of seven species belonging to four genera: Enterobacter, Serratia, Raoultella, and Salmonella. Serratia liquefaciens was the dominant species associated with M. subhyalinus. These findings highlight the richness and diversity of Enterobacteriaceae associated with the gut microbiota of the studied termites and emphasize their potential role in plant biomass degradation processes. Furthermore, they provide promising prospects for the biotechnological exploitation of termite associated symbiotic microorganisms.