Nanopore 16S Profiling of Ceratitis capitata Microbiomes Treated with the Probiotic Consortium L.E.K-PC
This project investigates how supplementation with the three-strain probiotic consortium L.E.K-PC (Lactococcus lactis, Enterobacter sp., and Klebsiella oxytoca) affects the gut microbiota of sterile male Ceratitis capitata used in Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs. Using long-read Oxford Nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing, we characterize microbiome changes in probiotic-treated and untreated flies before and after experimental infection with Pseudomonas sp. The study aims to improve the biological quality, immune performance, and resilience of sterile males released for sustainable pest control.