Gut-associated Cellulolytic Bacteria Of The Freshwater Apple Snail Pila Globosa And Their Role In Cellulose Digestion

Abstract

The Present Study Investigates The Association Between Gut-associated Bacteria Of The Freshwater Apple Snail Pila Globosa And Their Role In Lignocellulose Digestion. Cellulolytic And Hemicellulolytic Bacteria Were Isolated From The Gut Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Agar Medium And Subjected To Sequential Screening Based On Colony Morphology, Enzyme Activity, And Cellulose Liquefaction Ability. Two Promising Bacterial Isolates, Designated PS1 And PS2, Were Selected For Detailed Characterization. Submerged Fermentation Studies Were Carried Out To Evaluate Extracellular Enzyme Production, And Growth Dynamics Along With PH Variation Were Monitored Over Time. Molecular Identification Based On 16S RRNA Gene Sequencing Revealed That Isolate PS1 Belonged To The Genus Bacillus, While Isolate PS2 Was Affiliated With The Genus Klebsiella. Both Isolates Exhibited The Ability To Produce Cellulolytic And Hemicellulolytic Enzymes, Including CMCase, FPase, And Xylanase, With Enzyme Production Closely Associated With The Active Growth Phase. Zymogram Analysis Further Confirmed The Presence Of Extracellular Enzyme Systems Involved In Cellulose Degradation. The Results Highlight The Functional Role Of Gut-associated Microbial Consortia In Facilitating Lignocellulose Digestion In Pila Globosa And Suggest The Potential Of These Bacterial Isolates As Sources Of Industrially Relevant Enzymes

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