Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract of giant African snail, Achatinafulica was investigated as a source for isolation ofcellulose degrading bacteria. The cellulose degrading bacteria from different gastrointestinal tract regions such as esophagus, crop, stomach, intestine and rectum were enriched in carboxymethylcelluloseand identified. Thirty two cellulose degrading bacteria belonging to two major phyla namely Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were enriched, isolated and identified by 16S rDNA amplification andsequencing. Based on plate based assay, 18 of these isolates displayed cellulase activity and were identified as the members of Bacillus, Achromobacter, Ochrobactrum and Klebsiella. Among the 18 isolates, 5isolates with high activity were further studied for various enzyme activities such as endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase on different lignocellulosic substrates. Isolate identified as Ochrobactrum sp. K38 exhibited the highest CMCase activity (501.75 IU/ml extract) after 14 days of incubation. The highestavicelase activity (3116.92 IU/ml extract) was shown by Bacillus subtilis Cf60 on filter paper as substrateafter 10 days of incubation whereas all other isolates showed a low xylanase activity on all tested substrates exceptfilter paper. The present study demonstrates the utility of snail gut as a rich source for isolation of cellulose degrading bacteria that can have many industrial applications.

Biography

Email: rspandit@unipune.ac.in