Synergy effects of Methylomonas koyamae and Hyphomicrobium methylovorum under methanethiol stress

Methanotrophs are able to metabolize volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs), excrete organic carbon during CH₄ oxidation, and influence microbial community structure and function of the ecosystem. In return, microbial community structure and environmental factors can affect the growth metabolism of methanotrophs. In this study, Methylomonas koyamae and Hyphomicrobium methylovorum were used for model organisms, and methanethiol (MT) was chosen for a typical VOSC to investigate the synergy effects under VOSC stress. The results showed that when Hyphomicrobium methylovorum was co-cultured with Methylomonas koyamae in the medium with CH₄ used as the carbon source, the co-culture had better MT tolerance relative to Methylomonas koyamae and oxidized all CH₄ within 120 h, even at the initial MT concentration of 2000 mg m^-3. The optimal co-culture ratios of Methylomonas koyamae to Hyphomicrobium methylovorum were 4:1-12:1. Although MT could be converted spontaneously to dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), H₂S, and CS₂ in air, faster losses of MT, DMDS, H₂S, and CS₂ were observed in each strain mono-culture and the co-culture. Compared with Hyphomicrobium methylovorum, MT was degraded more quickly in the Methylomonas koyamae culture. During the co-culture, the CH₄ oxidation process of Methylomonas koyamae could provide carbon and energy sources for the growth of Hyphomicrobium methylovorum, while Hyphomicrobium methylovorum oxidized MT to help Methylomonas koyamae detoxify. These findings are helpful to understand the synergy effects of Methylomonas koyamae and Hyphomicrobium methylovorum under MT stress and enrich the role of methanotrophs in the sulfur biogeochemical cycle. KEY POINTS: • The co-culture of Methylomonas and Hyphomicrobium has better tolerance to CH₃SH. • Methylomonas can provide carbon sources for the growth of Hyphomicrobium. • The co-culture of Methylomonas and Hyphomicrobium enhances the removal of CH₄ and CH₃SH.