Research Status of Termite Secretion Simulants

Abstract

As a complex biochemical system, termite secretions exhibit unique functional properties in soil improvement and geotechnical engineering. This paper systematically analyzes the main chemical components of termite secretions, including formic acid, enzymes, polysaccharides, proteins, etc., and deeply explores their influence mechanisms on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of rock and soil. Studies have shown that termite secretions significantly alter soil properties through multiple mechanisms such as biological cementation, acid-base regulation and enzymatic hydrolysis. The concentration of formic acid can reach 3.8%, and the secretions increase soil strength by 10 times with a compressive strength of up to 32 MPa. Based on bionic principles, this paper focuses on the widely used simulants in academia and engineering, including microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology, chitosan and its derivatives, heshutin, and synthetic termite saliva. Through comparative analysis, it is found that MICP technology has the most significant effect in improving strength and reducing permeability, with the compressive strength of treated soil reaching 1.5-8.0 MPa and permeability reduced by 1-3 orders of magnitude; chitosan has advantages in simulating biocompatibility and pH regulation; heshutin performs prominently in water retention and nutrient release. These simulants show differentiated applicability in different soil types, providing important technical support for the application of biological materials in geotechnical engineering.