Insect gut microbiome – An unexploited reserve for biotechnological application

Abstract

Metagenomics research has been developed over the past decade to elucidate the genomes of the uncultured microorganisms with an aim of understanding microbial ecology. On the other hand, it has also been provoked by the increasing biotechnological demands for novel enzymes, antibiotic and signal mimics. The gut microbiota of insects plays crucial roles in the growth, development and environmental adaptation to the host insects. Very recently, the insect microbiota and their genomes (microbiome), isolated from insects were recognized as a major genetic resources for bio-processing industry. Consequently, the exploitation of insect gut microbiome using metagenomic approaches will enable us to find novel biocatalysts and to develop innovative strategies for identifying smart molecules for biotechnological applications. In this review, we discuss the critical footstep in extraction and purification of metagenomic DNA from insect gut, construction of metagenomic libraries and screening procedure for novel gene identification. Recent innovations and potential applications in bioprocess industries are highlighted.

Strong responses of Drosophila melanogaster microbiota to developmental temperature

“…19 Among the impacts of bacteria on their hosts, food digestion, and thereby changing nutrient availability, affects a wide range of fitness components, including growth rate, developmental time, survival, and stress resistance. 20,21 Slower development and changes in the nutrient profile of germ-free Drosophila melanogaster (axenic) compared to untreated flies suggest an association between the resident microbiota and host traits. 22 In another study carried out in D. melanogaster, elimination of the microbial community through sterilising the eggs changed the allocation pattern of carbohydrates in a gender specific pattern, which was explained by the trehalose levels.…”

Oral delivery of dsRNA by microbes: Beyond pest control

“…In the mosquito Aedes aegypti , recent finding has shown that live yeast cells are efficiently ingested and hydrolyzed by larvae 16 . With the recent advances in sequencing technology, the characterization of insect gut microbiota 17 will lead to the identification of novel symbiotic microorganisms amenable to be genetically modified and used as dsRNA delivering vector. In the context of pest management, the finding of new species-specific interactions between insect and microbe will considerably increase the specificity of the treatment against targeted insect.…”

Comparison Between the Microbial Diversity in Carpenter Ant (Camponotus) Gut and Weaver Ant (Oecophylla) Gut

“…this step was repeated to assure the complete removal of the surface microbes from these two ants external surface. Once done, these washed or cleaned ants are dissected and crushed into fine paste and transferred to nutrient broth tubes aseptically and incubated at 36 o c for 24hrs [24][25][26] .…”