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  DOI Prefix   10.20431


 

International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences
Volume 4, Issue 7, 2016, Page No: 12-21
doi.org/10.20431/2349-0365.0407003

Re-Establishing Microbial Role in Degradation of Organic Substrates: Population Dynamics of Starch-Hydrolysing, Cellulose-Degrading and Phosphate-Solubilising Bacteria from the Gut of Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kinberg)

Balraj Khobragade* 1, Sayali More1

1. PG Department of Zoology, Ahmednagar College, Ahmednagar (M.S.) India

Citation : Balraj Khobragade*, Sayali More, Re-Establishing Microbial Role in Degradation of Organic Substrates: Population Dynamics of Starch-Hydrolysing, Cellulose-Degrading and Phosphate-Solubilising Bacteria from the Gut of Eudrilus Eugeniae (Kinberg) International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences 2016,4(7) : 12-21.

Abstract

This preliminary investigation attempted enumeration of total bacterial population as well as the starch-hydrolysing, cellulose-degrading and phosphate-solubilising bacteria from the gut of earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae fed on organic substrates, namely leaf litter (LL) and kitchen waste (KW). The rapid increase in the population and morphometrics of earthworms indicated efficient utilisation of the substrates by them. The bacterial communities altered during the passage of organic material through the gut of E. eugeniae. Surprisingly, the total number of bacteria in the gut sample of earthworms fed on LL as well as KW was 4.4 x 108 CFU/gm. Analysis of population of different bacterial communities on various growth media indicated the presence of various enzyme producing bacteria in the gut of E. eugeniae. After 30 days of vermicomposting, the bacterial count in the gut sample of E. eugeniae able to hydrolyse the starch was found to be 3.3 x 108 and 3.4 x 108 ; degrade the cellulose was 3.1 x 108 and 3.2 x 108 and solubilise the phosphate was 3.2 x 108 and 3.3 x 108 CFU/gm, from LL and KW samples, respectively. Morphological variation among bacterial colonies appearing on solid media suggested that diverse bacteria are present in the gut of E. eugeniae. Further, biochemical characterisation and molecular identification is recommended so as to employ the potential bacterial activity in organic waste management to a greater extent


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