Enrichment and identification of cellulolytic bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of Giant African snail, Achatina fulica.

The cellulolytic bacterial community structure in gastrointestinal (GI) tract of Achatina fulica was studied using culture-independent and -dependent methods by enrichment in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Culture-dependent method indicated that GI tract of snail was dominated by Enterobacteriaceae members. When tested for cellulase activities, all isolates obtained by culture-dependent method showed both or either of CMCase or avicelase activity.

Molecular profiling of "Chirayat" complex using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers.

"Chirayat" represents a group in which different species of Swertia and some other non-Swertia species are used as local substitutes/adulterants for the Swertia chirayita. Twelve different taxa recognized under "Chirayat" complex were characterized using ISSR markers. On the basis of preliminary screening, 16 informative primers were selected for molecular profiling.