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16S rRNA sequence data of Bombyx mori gut bacteriome after spermidine supplementation
Resma Rajan1, Alekhya Rani Chunduri1, Anugata Lima1
1Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530 045, India.
Objectives:
The silkworm Bombyx mori (B. mori) is an important domesticated lepidopteran model for basic and applied research. They produce silk fibres that have great economic value. The gut microbiome plays an important role in the growth of organisms. Spermidine (Spd) is shown to be important for the growth of all living cells. The effect of spermidine feeding on the gut microbiome of 5th instar B. mori larvae was checked. The B. mori gut samples from control and spermidine fed larvae were subjected to next-generation sequencing analysis to unravel changes in the bacterial community upon spermidine supplementation.
Data Description:
The changes in gut bacteriota after spermidine feeding is not studied before. B. mori larvae were divided into two groups of 50 worms each and were fed with normal mulberry leaves and mulberry leaves fortified with 50 µM spermidine. The gut tissues were isolated aseptically and total genomic DNA was extracted, 16S rRNA region amplified and sequenced using Illumina platform. The spermidine fed gut samples were shown to have abundance and diversity of the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria.
Insights
Spermidine supplementation altered the gut microbiome in silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori). This study investigated the impact of spermidine on bacterial communities, revealing changes in key phyla within the silkworm gut.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a key model organism for research and silk production.
- The gut microbiome is crucial for organismal development and health.
- Spermidine is vital for cellular growth across all life forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dietary spermidine on the gut microbiome composition of Bombyx mori larvae.
- To analyze alterations in bacterial diversity and abundance in response to spermidine supplementation.
Main Methods:
- Bombyx mori larvae were divided into control and spermidine-treated groups.
- Larvae were fed mulberry leaves with or without 50 µM spermidine.
- Gut bacterial DNA was extracted, amplified (16S rRNA), and sequenced using Illumina technology.
Main Results:
- Spermidine feeding significantly impacted the gut bacterial community structure.
- An increase in the abundance and diversity of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria was observed in spermidine-fed larvae.
- This study presents the first analysis of gut microbiota changes following spermidine administration in B. mori.
Conclusions:
- Dietary spermidine influences the gut microbiome composition in Bombyx mori larvae.
- Understanding these microbial shifts can inform strategies for optimizing silkworm growth and silk production.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of these microbiome alterations.

