Effect of Rifampin on gut symbiotic bacteria isolated from Anacanthotermes vagans Hagen (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae)

IRG 14-10835

B Habibpour, M Jalali, D Gharibi

Termites thrive in terrestrial ecosystems and play an important role in bio-recycling of the lignocellulosic biomass, that is a mixture of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. However, these insects become pests when they interfere with human interests related to wood/cellulose products, attacking structural timber, furniture and paper products. Sustainable management of subterranean termites using biorational pesticides such as antibiotics could represent a promising alternative to chemical control. We assessed the efficacy of the antibiotic Rifampin against the symbiotic bacteria isolated from the termite Anacanthotermes vagans using qualitative methods. Rifampin was dissolved in Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). We used a broth-dilution technique for determining Rifampin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on isolated bacteria from gut of A.vagans maintained at 37ᵒC for 24h in an incubator. Summarizing the results, among the isolated species, Enterobacter cloacae, Rhodococcus sp. and Bacillus subtilis were sensitive to the action of this antibiotic, whereas Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella sp., Corynebacterium sp., and Staphylococcus lentus were less affected by this antibiotic.


Keywords: rifampin, Hodotermitidae, symbiotic bacteria

Conference: 15-05-11/15 St George, Utah, USA


Download document (322 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document