PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF BACTERIAL CELLULOLYTIC ETHANOLOGENS FROM COPTOTERMES HEIMI (TERMITE)

Termites are a prospective source of cellulolytic enzymes because they have evolved symbiotic systems that efficiently break down lignocellulosic materials to produce bioethanol.The current study aimed to discover and screen bacteria from the hindgut of Pakistani wood-eating termite species.Characterization of the cellulolytic bacteria, assessment of the cellulolytic and ethanologenic potential were performed.Coptotermes heimi (termite) was collected, identified, and dissected for the culturing of gut related cellulolytic bacterial isolates with assigned codes ASC1-ASC25.The cellulolytic potential was assessed by Durham tube test, Congo red staining, and TTC.The highest cellulolytic and ethanologenic potential was detected in ASC21 as 1.830.01mol/min/mL and 6.700.01g/L respectively.All bacterial isolates exhibited ethanol yield and fermentation efficiency within the range of 0.19-0.40g/g and 37.35-79.19% correspondingly.Bacillus cereus sp.ASC21 exhibited 0.40 g/g ethanol yield with 79.19% fermentation efficiency.The selected four strains were characterized molecularly as Enterobacter cloacae sp.ASC12, Bacillus paramycoides sp.ASC13, Bacillus cereus sp.ASC21 and Staphylococcus sciuri sp.ASC22.Technology for producing bioethanol will focus on properly disposing of fruit waste to lower health concerns address energy emergencies and produce affordable, environment friendly biofuel with financial advantages.