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Characterization of an Esterase Producing Bacterium from the Gut of Chironomus circumdatus (Bloodworms) and its Ability to Use Modified Phthalates

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Abstract

Insects harbor bacteria that are a rich source of enzymes that can be utilized for various industrial and biotechnological applications. It is predicted that during evolution these detoxifying enzymes have been acquired by insects through bacteria. However, the role of host insect detoxification enzymes has already been extensively studied but only a few resistance development studies have been focused on the enzymes derived from gut bacteria. Thus in this study, two bacterial isolates were found in the gut of Chironomous circumdatus larvae having esterase activity, out of which one bacterium was molecular characterized and it was found to be Enterobacter mori designated as strain BI1245. Further, crude extract from the bacterium was characterized and it was observed that it showed maximum activity at pH 8 and temperature 60 °C. Moreover, the crude extract showed 0.26 mM and 290 U/mg of protein as Km and Vmax value when p-nitrophenyl acetate was used as a substrate. Thereafter, the bacterial isolate was incubated in minimal salts medium containing modified phthalates and it was found that bacterium could utilize shorter alkyl-chain phthalic acid esters faster as compared to long alkyl chains thereby indicating that side chain of the substrates has a significant effect on the utilization of phthalic acid esters. Thus the gut flora present in insects may play an important role in providing resistance to the host to live in phthalate polluted water.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University for providing the infrastructure for carrying out the research work. Authors are also thankful to Dr. Praveen Rahi (National Centre for Microbial Resource, National Center for Cell Science) for his valuable suggestions and to Ms. Priya Jadhav and Mr. Kiran Choudaj for helping in the collection of Chironomus circumdatus larvae. The research work was supported by the University Grant Commission (UGC)-Centre for Advanced Studies (Phase 3) (2019–2020) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The funding sources had no role in design, execution and publication of this study.

Funding

The research work was supported by the University Grant Commission (UGC)-Centre for Advanced Studies (Phase 3) (2019–2020) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). No financial help was provided for publishing this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India

    Chaitali M. Shaha & Radhakrishna S. Pandit

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  1. Chaitali M. Shaha
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  2. Radhakrishna S. Pandit
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Conceptualization: CMS, formal analysis: CMS, investigation: CMS, writing-original draft preparation: CMS, writing-review and editing: RSP, supervision: RSP. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Radhakrishna S. Pandit.

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Shaha, C.M., Pandit, R.S. Characterization of an Esterase Producing Bacterium from the Gut of Chironomus circumdatus (Bloodworms) and its Ability to Use Modified Phthalates. Curr Microbiol 78, 3165–3172 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-021-02574-x

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