title: Characterization of cellulose degrading bacteria from the larval gut of the white grub beetle Lepidiota mansueta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Gautam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Handique
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phukan
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Badal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Abu Adil Lutful Haque
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Baruah
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Syed Wasifur
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Rajen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baruah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium
keywords: 16S rDNA; Lepidiota mansueta; cellulose; gut bacteria; scarab beetle