Abstract
Insect gut microbiota has been reported to influence multiple biological functions of the host such as nutrition, digestion and immunity. In this study, nine and eight culturable bacteria were isolated from the gut of eri silkworm, Samia ricini and root grub, Anamola dimidiata. The gut bacteria were assayed for their ability to degrade filter paper.. The results indicated that filter paper digestion was faster in A. dimidiata compared to S. ricini reaching 50% within five incubation days. Cellulolytic activity indicated significant endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase activity in A. dimidiata compared to S. ricini, an indication that A. dimidiata harbours more robust cellulose degrading bacteria than S. ricini. The culturable gut bacterial isolates with cellulolytic activity may be good sources for preparing probiotic formulations to boost eri-nutrition as well as profiling cellulolytic enzymes or genes for biotechnological application..
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