Revealing the microbial community formation of principal fungi groups of the silkworm gut after exposure to magnetic Fe3O4 urease nanoconjugates

This study reveals the effects of dietary exposure to Fe3O4 urease nanoconjugates on the microbial community, specifically fungi groups within the gut of Bombyx mori. We observed significant modulation of the gut ecology, with a particular focus on fungal communities, which play a key role in facilitating functional metabolic flux. The administration of these nanoconjugates enhanced the silkworm ability to efficiently process nutrients, ultimately promoting improved silk production and pupal growth. Our findings highlight the critical role of specific fungal groups including Mucoromycota, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, in supporting these metabolic processes, providing new insights into how nanotechnology can be used to optimize insect gut microbiomes for agricultural productivity. Functional analysis using Funguild showed enriched trophic nodes, while functions of DEGs demonstrated an increase in metabolic capacity. This research lays the foundation for future applications of nanoconjugates in enhancing silkworm rearing and other insect based systems.