Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region

Abstract The gut microbiota of insects plays a pivotal role in digesting food, supplying nutrients, and synthesizing enzymes, particularly those capable of degrading lignocellulosic biomass—a key factor in waste management. In Karnataka, India, the larvae of Holotrichia serrata and Leucopholis coneo...

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Main Authors: Gatta Vishnu Vyasa, Ramesh Balenahalli Narasingappa, K. V. Prakash, P. Bhavani, K. R. Gagandeep
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Microbiology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-03805-y
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author Gatta Vishnu Vyasa
Ramesh Balenahalli Narasingappa
K. V. Prakash
P. Bhavani
K. R. Gagandeep
author_facet Gatta Vishnu Vyasa
Ramesh Balenahalli Narasingappa
K. V. Prakash
P. Bhavani
K. R. Gagandeep
author_sort Gatta Vishnu Vyasa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The gut microbiota of insects plays a pivotal role in digesting food, supplying nutrients, and synthesizing enzymes, particularly those capable of degrading lignocellulosic biomass—a key factor in waste management. In Karnataka, India, the larvae of Holotrichia serrata and Leucopholis coneophora are major crop pests. However, the potential of their gut bacterial communities to degrade lignocellulose has yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from these larvae. Seventeen cellulolytic bacterial strains were successfully isolated from the fermentation chamber of white grubs, most of which belonged to the Firmicutes and γ-Proteobacteria classes. Notable genera included Bacillus, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. Among these, Bacillus toyonensis strain LC3B1 exhibited remarkable cellulolytic activity, with a cellulolytic index of 1.93 ± 0.037. This strain demonstrated the highest degradation on groundnut husk powder (33.25 ± 0.823%), followed by paddy straw powder (31.45 ± 0.608%) and corncob powder (28.15 ± 1.56%), highlighting its potential for effective agricultural residue degradation. FTIR analysis of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrolyzed by LC3B1 revealed various decomposition products, including ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the treated biomass revealed significant morphological changes, such as pore formation and tunneling within the substrate. The broad cellulolytic capabilities observed across bacteria from white grub gut microbiota, including members of the Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae families, underscore their potential as valuable resources for lignocellulosic biomass degradation, biofuel production, and sustainable waste management strategies. This study highlights the promise of insect gut microbiota as a reservoir for environmentally beneficial microbial applications.
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spelling doaj-art-e1aad419081048d9b7d06ccfb69506952025-08-20T03:06:00ZengBMCBMC Microbiology1471-21802025-03-0125111210.1186/s12866-025-03805-yProspecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka regionGatta Vishnu Vyasa0Ramesh Balenahalli Narasingappa1K. V. Prakash2P. Bhavani3K. R. Gagandeep4Department of Plant Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKICAR-AICRP On Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKDepartment of Entomology, ICAR-AINP On Soil Arthropod Pests, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKDepartment of Plant Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKDepartment of Plant Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVKAbstract The gut microbiota of insects plays a pivotal role in digesting food, supplying nutrients, and synthesizing enzymes, particularly those capable of degrading lignocellulosic biomass—a key factor in waste management. In Karnataka, India, the larvae of Holotrichia serrata and Leucopholis coneophora are major crop pests. However, the potential of their gut bacterial communities to degrade lignocellulose has yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from these larvae. Seventeen cellulolytic bacterial strains were successfully isolated from the fermentation chamber of white grubs, most of which belonged to the Firmicutes and γ-Proteobacteria classes. Notable genera included Bacillus, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. Among these, Bacillus toyonensis strain LC3B1 exhibited remarkable cellulolytic activity, with a cellulolytic index of 1.93 ± 0.037. This strain demonstrated the highest degradation on groundnut husk powder (33.25 ± 0.823%), followed by paddy straw powder (31.45 ± 0.608%) and corncob powder (28.15 ± 1.56%), highlighting its potential for effective agricultural residue degradation. FTIR analysis of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrolyzed by LC3B1 revealed various decomposition products, including ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the treated biomass revealed significant morphological changes, such as pore formation and tunneling within the substrate. The broad cellulolytic capabilities observed across bacteria from white grub gut microbiota, including members of the Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae families, underscore their potential as valuable resources for lignocellulosic biomass degradation, biofuel production, and sustainable waste management strategies. This study highlights the promise of insect gut microbiota as a reservoir for environmentally beneficial microbial applications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-03805-yWhite grubGut microbes16S rRNA gene sequencingCellulolytic activityLignocellulosic biomassCellulase enzyme
spellingShingle Gatta Vishnu Vyasa
Ramesh Balenahalli Narasingappa
K. V. Prakash
P. Bhavani
K. R. Gagandeep
Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
BMC Microbiology
White grub
Gut microbes
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Cellulolytic activity
Lignocellulosic biomass
Cellulase enzyme
title Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
title_full Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
title_fullStr Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
title_full_unstemmed Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
title_short Prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs (Holotrichia serrata (F.) and Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister) native to Karnataka region
title_sort prospecting cellulolytic bacteria from white grubs holotrichia serrata f and leucopholis coneophora burmeister native to karnataka region
topic White grub
Gut microbes
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Cellulolytic activity
Lignocellulosic biomass
Cellulase enzyme
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-03805-y
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