Biomimetic approach for developing lignocellulose valorization bioprocess using insect microbiome

Abstract : Insects are the world’s tiniest, most efficient bioreactors known to transform lignocellulose. They have optimized their digestion in highly efficient systems. The proposed project aims to characterize the microbial and enzymatic consortia that allow efficient lignocellulose degradation. For this, the digestive microbiomes of five insects belonging to several orders (Gromphadorrina potentosa, Ergates faber, Potosia cuprea, Gryllus bimaculatus, Locusta migratoria) were placed in batch reactors, in physicochemical environment similar to their original medium. The microbiomes of selected insects were successfully maintained in bioreactors and their strategy for lignocellulose degradation was followed dynamically in semi-continuous reactors. Their ability to degrade lignocellulosic substrate as well as their microbial and enzymatic diversity allowed comparing the efficiency of these potential bioressources. This research brings new information on microbial species and enzymatic deconstruction processes involved on lignocellulose degradation in natural environments; such information might be useful to produce biomimetic enzyme cocktails benefiting from millions of years of evolution.