Degradation of dimeric lignin model compounds by aerobic bacteria isolated from the hindgut of xylophagous termites.

The capability of the intestinal flora from the gut of xylophagous termites of degrading lignin model compounds was investigated. Different dimeric lignin model compounds-degrading bacteria were obtained from the hindgut flora of Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt, Reticulitermes santonensis Feytaud, Nasutitermes nigriceps Haldeman and Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen. In the presence of oxygen dimeric model compounds were degraded by all isolates. This indicates that the hindgut flora of termites is basically able to produce substrate for their host from aromatic extractives of wood.