Gut chitinase activity from reticulitermes virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract

Chitinase activity was measured from nonmolting workers of a subterranean termite, Reticulitermes virginicus Banks. The specific activity of cellulase was 6-fold greater than that of chitinase. An ability of R. virginicus to digest chitin would allow utilization of additional food resources that contain dietary nitrogen lacking in wood.