DISTRIBUTION OF CELLULASES, GLUCOSE AND RELATED SUBSTANCES IN THE BODY OF COPTOTERMES-FORMOSANUS

We assayed extracts of the digestive system and of the whole body of C optotermes formosanus to determine where the various cellulases, gluco se, and related substances were concentrated in order to verify its fu ll cellulolytic system. About 20 %, 18 % and 36 % of the total exo-1,4 -beta-glucanase activity of C. formosanus were detected in the salivar y glands, midgut, and hindgut, respectively. About a third of the tota l endo-1,4-beta-glucanase activity in the termite was detected in the salivary glands (34.5 %) whereas the activities in the midgut and hind gut were 21.1 % and 18.2 %. respectively. About 75 % of the total beta -D-glucosidase activity in the termite was detected in the midgut. Thu s all the necessary cellulases for hydrolysis of natural cellulose to glucose were present in the region ranging from the salivary glands to the midgut in significant amounts. Most of the glucose and trehalose detected in the termite existed in the Rutted-body. Most of the glucos e detected in the gut existed in the midgut. These results suggest tha t natural cellulose ingested by the termite is hydrolysed to oligosacc harides in the region of the foregut and midgut as well as in the hind gut, that oligosaccharides are hydrolysed to glucose predominantly in the midgut, and that the resultant glucose is absorbed through the mid gut wall into the tissues to be used as important energy and carbon so urces.