Metagenomic Characterization and Biochemical Analysis of Cellulose-Degrading Bacterial Communities from Sheep Rumen, Termite Hindgut, Decaying Plant Materials, and Soil
Abstract
In an effort to develop an affordable, clean, and renewable next-generation biofuel technology, this project takes a metagenomic approach to characterize cellulose-degrading bacteria from various samples, including termite gut, sheep rumen, soil, and decaying plant materials. Using selective media culture with cellulose and 16S rRNA, gene sequences, cellulose-degrading bacteria have been identified from each sample from the phylum to the genus level. The samples vary significantly in the diversity of cellulose-degrading bacteria, with each of the sheep rumen and termite gut samples containing the highest diversity while the partially decaying plant materials the lowest diversity. Interestingly, the two sheep rumen samples differ significantly int heir composition of cellulose-degrading bacteria. However, the two termite samples are quite similar with respect to cellulose-degrading bacterial composition, and the termite sample and soil sample collected at the same site are very similar in their cellulolytic bacteria composition. Overall the cellulolytic bacterial community is dominated by three phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Furthermore, biochemical analyses were conducted to assess the cellulolytic activities of the cellulose-degrading bacterial community in each sample, which shows a generally high efficiency in converting cellulose into glucose.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1008586
Entities
People
- Alonzo B. Anderson
Organizations
- Virginia State University