Characterization of cellulose degrading bacteria from the larval gut of the white grub beetle Lepidiota mansueta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) |
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| Authors: | Gautam Handique Amrita Phukan Badal Bhattacharyya Abu Adil Lutful Haque Baruah Syed Wasifur Rahman Rajen Baruah |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India;2. Department of Soil Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India;3. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India |
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| Abstract: | The goal of this study is to identify and characterize the cellulose degrading microorganisms in the larval gut of the white grub beetle, Lepidiota mansueta. Thirty bacterial strains were isolated and tested for cellulolytic activity using soluble carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) degrading assays. Of these strains, five (FGB1, FB2, MB1, MB2, and HB1) degrade cellulose. Cellulolytic activity was determined based on formation of clear zone and cellulolytic index on CMC plate media. The highest cellulolytic index (2.14) was found in FGB1. Partial 16S rDNA sequencing, morphological, and biochemical tests were used to identify and characterize the five isolates, all Citrobacter sp. (Enterobacteriaceae). This study identifies new cellulose degrading microorganisms from the larval gut of L. mansueta. The significance of identifying these strains lies in possible application in cellulose degradation. |
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| Keywords: | cellulose gut bacteria Lepidiota mansueta 16S rDNA scarab beetle |
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