LIGNOCELLULOSE BIOCONVERSION BY GUT MICROBIOTA OF SATURNIIDAE SPECIES: A SUSTAINABLE PATH TO BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

A promising and sustainable resource for the synthesis of biofuels is lignocellulosic biomass, which is mainly made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The potential of lignocellulose, a plentiful and renewable substrate, to produce second-generation biofuels that do not compete with food crops has attracted much attention. However, because lignocellulose is complex and resistant, its effective conversion into fermentable sugars remains a significant bottleneck. Biological approaches that mimic natural degradation processes are being investigated to solve this problem. One interesting example is the gut microbiota of insects in the Saturniidae family, like the eri silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini). These insects have co-evolved with specific gut bacteria that use enzymatic activity to break down plant polymers, allowing for adequate nutrient absorption from the lignocellulosic diet. Cellulases, hemicellulases, and ligninases play a key role in the microbial breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass, which is examined in this review, along with its structural makeup and biochemical processes. We examine the enzymatic profiles and metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota in different Saturniidae species, as well as their composition, diversity, and function. The potential for using these naturally occurring microbial systems to produce industrial biofuel is highlighted. We also emphasise how metagenomics, enzyme screening, and synthetic biology can be combined to improve the efficiency of lignocellulose conversion. The biotechnological potential of Saturniidae gut microbes as a sustainable solution for lignocellulose bioconversion and advanced biofuel production is highlighted in this review by combining research from microbial ecology, insect physiology, and bioprocess engineering.