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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Microbial profiling of earthworm gut and its biotechnological potential
Authors
Dhanushree B S, Keerthana N, Anusha L, Kiruthika Panneerselvam
Abstract
The present study focuses on the Isolation of Microorganisms from the
Earthworm’s Gut to explore its microbial diversity and ecological significance.
Earthworms, often referred to as the “intestines of the earth,” play a crucial
role in soil fertility and organic matter decomposition. Their gut provides a
favorable microenvironment for diverse bacterial and fungal communities that
aid in nutrient cycling and bioremediation. In this study, healthy earthworms
were collected from agricultural soil, and gut tissues were aseptically
dissected, homogenized, and serially diluted for microbial isolation using
nutrient agar, Luria-Bertani agar, and MacConkey agar. The isolated colonies
were subjected to Gram staining and a series of biochemical tests including
catalase, oxidase, indole, methyl red, Voges–Proskauer, citrate utilization,
and starch hydrolysis to identify bacterial genera. The analysis revealed a
diverse microbial population consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus
cereus, Clostridium spp., Pseudomonas spp., E. coli, Proteus spp.,
Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Actinobacter, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and
Nocardia. Fungal isolates such as Aspergillus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium
chrysogenum, and Mucor were also identified, with several rare species
noted. These microorganisms play significant roles in polysaccharide
degradation, nitrogen fixation, and detoxification of organic compounds within
the soil ecosystem. The findings confirm that the earthworm gut harbors
metabolically active and beneficial microbes that contribute to soil health and
nutrient enrichment. This study supports the importance of the earthworm gut
microbiome as a natural bioreactor and highlights its potential applications in
sustainable agriculture and soil bioremediation.
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Pages:75-78
How to cite this article:
Dhanushree B S, Keerthana N, Anusha L, Kiruthika Panneerselvam "Microbial profiling of earthworm gut and its biotechnological potential". International Journal of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 75-78
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