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Hydrogen emission by three wood-feeding subterranean termite species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Production and characteristics |
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| Authors: | Yueqing Cao Jian-Zhong Sun Jose M Rodriguez Karmen C Lee |
| Institution: | 1. Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Poplarville, Mississippi, USA
College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China;2. Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Poplarville, Mississippi, USA School of Environment, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China;3. Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, Petroleum Production Division, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, USA;4. Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Poplarville, Mississippi, USA |
| Abstract: | Abstract Hydrogen emission by wood-feeding termites, Coptotermes formosanus, Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes virginicus, was investigated upon a cellulosic substrate as their food source. The emission rates among the three species tested were significantly different and R. virginicus demonstrated the greatest H2 emission at 4.78 ± 0.15 μmol/h/g body weight. In a sealed test apparatus, H2 emission for each termite species showed a quick increase at the initial incubation hours (3–6 h), followed by a slower growth, possibly due to the feedback inhibition by gas accumulation. Further investigation revealed that continuous H2 emission could be maintained by reducing the H2 partial pressure in the sealed container. The bioconversion of cellulose to molecular H2 by the subterranean termites tested could reach as high as 3 858 ± 294 μmol/g cellulose, suggesting that the termite gut system is unique and efficient in H2 conversion from cellulosic substrate. |
| Keywords: | biofuel hydrogen methane subterranean termite symbiotic micro-organism |