The three highest hydrolysis-capacity-value isolates of Bacillus subtilis (A 002, M 015, and F 018) obtained from Thai higher termites, Microcerotermes sp., under different isolation conditions (aerobic, anaerobic, and anaerobic/aerobic) were tested for cellulase activities-FPase, endoglucanase, and beta-glucosidase-at 37 A degrees C and pH 7.2 for 24 h. Their tolerance to an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl), was also investigated. The results showed that the isolate M 015 provided the highest endoglucanase activity whereas the highest FPase and beta-glucosidase activities were observed for the isolate F 018. The isolate F 018 also showed the highest tolerance to [BMIM]Cl in the range of 0.1-1.0 vol.%. In contrast, the isolate A 002 exhibited growth retardation in the presence of 0.5-1.0 vol.% [BMIM]Cl.