What’s good in the wood: unveiling chemical shifts induced by Cryptotermes brevis digestion

William Haigh; Helen F. Nahrung; Babar Hassan; Jeff Morrell; R. Andrew Hayes

doi:10.1515/hf-2025-0026

Back

What’s good in the wood: unveiling chemical shifts induced by Cryptotermes brevis digestion

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

What’s good in the wood: unveiling chemical shifts induced by Cryptotermes brevis digestion

William Haigh, Helen F. Nahrung, Babar Hassan, Jeff Morrell and R. Andrew Hayes

Holzforschung, Vol.79(8), pp.372-382

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2025-0026

Files and links (1)

pdf

10.1515_hf-2025-0026612.44 kBDownload View

Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access

Abstract

termite

timber

biochemistry

cellulose

lignin

secondary metabolites

The West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis , causes large economic impacts by consuming wooden structures. The complexity of the lignocellulosic matrix presents many challenges to termites, who have evolved methods to tolerate recalcitrant components. Chemical variations among wood species and the ability of C. brevis to consume them remains understudied. This work compared the chemical composition of hoop pine ( Araucaria cunninghamii ) and shining gum ( Eucalyptus nitens ) before (whole wood) and after ingestion (frass) by C. brevis . Holocellulose content in hoop pine declined from 58.7 % of the original wood to 10.9 % in frass, while shining gum holocellulose content decreased from 55.7 % to 12.5 % in the frass. Reductions in hemicellulose were 62 % and 38 %, respectively, while >90 % reductions in α-cellulose were observed within either wood source. Klason lignin levels were similar in wood and frass for both diets. The total extractives did not differ between wood and frass, but specific compounds varied independently. The results suggest the C. brevis gut and/or its microbiome primarily utilised carbohydrate components while essentially disregarding lignin and extractives. The results improve the understanding of how wood sources affect termite activity and may advise future material choices for improved pest management.

Details

Title: What’s good in the wood: unveiling chemical shifts induced by Cryptotermes brevis digestion
Authors: William Haigh (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Helen F. Nahrung - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Babar Hassan - Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Jeff Morrell - University of South Australia
R. Andrew Hayes - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Publication details: Holzforschung, Vol.79(8), pp.372-382
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1515/hf-2025-0026
ISSN: 1437-434X; 0018-3830
Data Availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, WH, upon reasonable request.
Grant note: Research funded by the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life (UniSC) in association with FWPA [grant number CAT11810].
Organisation Unit: Forest Industries Research Centre; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991144535702621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

22 File views/ downloads

41 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Forestry; Materials Science, Paper & Wood

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites