Identification, Antagonistic Potentials and Plasmid Profiling of Micro-Organisms Associated with Termitarium and Macerated Dead Termites from Cashew Trees in Ibule-Soro, Akure Nigeria

This research was carried out to identify microorganisms associated with termitarium on cashew tree barks and macerated dead termites from Ibule-Soro, Akure, Nigeria. Pour plate technique was used for isolation, standard and conventional methods of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics were employed in the identification and characterization. Bacterial isolates such as Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Corynebacterium sp, Streptococcus sp were identified, while fungi isolates such as Aspergilus niger, Fusarium solani and Penicillium nonatum were identified. The result of antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the isolates showed that all the bacteria were susceptible to at least three of the antibiotics. However, Micrococcus sp and Bacillus sp were screened to be multiple antibiotic resistant isolates. Plasmid profiling of these multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria isolates were carried out to determine the size of the bacteria plasmids and genetic basis of their antimicrobial resistance. The isolates were cured of their plasmid and subjected to antibiotic treatments again to determine whether their susceptibility to antibiotic is chromosomal or extra-chromosomal. Antagonistic properties of the isolated bacteria and fungi were determined against known bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococus aureus, Shigella sp, Salmonella sp, and Escherichia coli, the result showed that only the fungus Penicillium notatum showed positive and mild antagonistic potential against the selected pathogens. Findings from this research showed the potentials of termite nest as reservoirs for beneficial microorganisms with great antagonistic properties.