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Enhancement of antibacterial and growth-promoting effects of Paenibacillus polymyxa by optimizing its fermentation

Shoude Liu1,2, Huamei Liu2, Li Zhou2

  • 1Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Bioengineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China.

Journal of Applied Microbiology
|August 8, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Optimized fermentation of Paenibacillus polymyxa significantly boosted spore, lipopeptide, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) yields. This enhances its antibacterial and plant growth-promoting capabilities for agricultural applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Agricultural Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Paenibacillus polymyxa is a beneficial bacterium with potential applications in agriculture.
  • Enhancing the production of key metabolites like spores, lipopeptides, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is crucial for maximizing its efficacy.
  • Current fermentation methods may limit the yield of these valuable compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To optimize the fermentation process of Paenibacillus polymyxa.
  • To increase the yield of spores, lipopeptides, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA).
  • To evaluate the enhanced antibacterial and plant growth-promoting effects of the optimized P. polymyxa product.

Main Methods:

  • Medium optimization using the response surface method.
  • Implementation of feeding fermentation strategies.
  • Quantification of spores, lipopeptides, and IAA.
  • Assessment of soil colonization, antibacterial activity, and plant growth promotion.

Main Results:

  • Spore yield increased by 38% to 2.37 × 10^9 cfu/ml.
  • Lipopeptide content rose by 89% to 60.8 mg/L.
  • IAA content surged by 176% to 24.3 mg/L.
  • Optimized P. polymyxa showed enhanced soil colonization, increased inhibition zones against plant pathogens (59% for Ralstonia solanacearum), and improved plant growth metrics (e.g., 47% increase in tomato plant height).

Conclusions:

  • The combination of medium optimization and feeding fermentation effectively improved P. polymyxa metabolite yields.
  • Enhanced lipopeptide and IAA production directly correlates with improved antibacterial and plant growth-promoting effects.
  • This optimized fermentation method provides a strong foundation for developing superior P. polymyxa-based agricultural products.
Keywords:
Paenibacillus polymyxaIAAantibacterialfermentation optimizationgrowth promotionlipopeptidesspores

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