Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Jordan, Heather

Committee Member

Hoffmann, Federico

Committee Member

Smith, Megan

Date of Degree

5-15-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Biological Sciences (Microbiology)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

This work examined the microbial structure and gene expression found in Black Soldier Fly larval guts and their frass when reared on dairy cattle manure that had been amended with either R. rhodococcus 21198, P. polymyxa 8158, or both and compare the results to larvae reared on untreated manure. First an overview of literature surrounding projected global food supplies and the possible use of insects to either increase them or mitigate the environmental effect of producing said supply. A cellulose degradation assay was performed to assist in determining which bacterial species to use as amendments. Characterization of the microbial communities present in both larval gut and frass was performed and relative abundances were identified down to the genera level demonstrating little change between bacterial amendment groups and unamended manure. Significant differential gene expression was identified across treatments indicating the possibility of community wide changes in stress tolerance and nutrient extraction

Sponsorship (Optional)

National Science Foundation Grants 2052454, 2052565, 2052788, Industry Advisory Board Members of the Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation

Download

Included in

Microbiology Commons

Share

COinS