Distribution of lysozyme and protease, and amino acid concentration in theguts of a wood-feeding termite, Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe): possible digestion of symbiont bacteria transferred by trophallaxis

Distribution of lysozyme and protease, and amino acid concentration in the guts of a wood-feeding termite, Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae) were studied to examine the possibility that termites dige st symbiont bacteria transferred by trophallaxis. Total lysozyme activity w as found predominantly in the salivary gland and to a minor extent in the d igestive tracts. However, specific lysozyme activity was high in the foregu t as well as in the salivary gland. The similarity of the lysozyme pH profi le of the salivary gland and of the foregut suggested that the foregut lyso zyme came from the salivary gland. Major protease activity having the optim um pH of 7.5 was found in the midgut. Total free amino acid amount and conc entration in the midgut was higher than elsewhere in the digestive tract. T he possibility that lysozyme secreted from the salivary gland into the fore gut digests hindgut bacteria transferred by trophallaxis was discussed.