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Functional conservation of microbial communities determines composition predictability in anaerobic digestion
Qiang Lin1, Lingjuan Li2, Jo De Vrieze3
1Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, CAS; Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
The ISME Journal
|September 4, 2023
Summary
Predicting microbial community responses is key for managing engineered systems. This study found that immediate microbial consortia responses to feedstock additions are predictable and stabilize methane production in anaerobic digestion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Managing microbial communities requires predicting their responses to environmental changes.
- Anaerobic digestion is a microorganism-driven system crucial for waste management and energy production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictability of microbial community responses to periodic feedstock addition in anaerobic digestion.
- To understand the relationship between microbial community composition and system function (methane production).
Main Methods:
- Monitoring microbial community dynamics using 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA.
- Analyzing metatranscriptomic data to assess functional gene expression.
- Validating findings with simulation modeling across different feedstocks.
Main Results:
- Immediate response microbial consortia showed predictable, reproducible order-level composition.
- Delayed response consortia were less predictable than immediate ones.
- Immediate consortia stabilized methane production despite species variability, indicating conserved functions.
Conclusions:
- Microbial community responses, particularly immediate ones, are predictable and reproducible in anaerobic digestion.
- Conserved functions within immediate response consortia are crucial for stabilizing system performance.
- Understanding these predictable responses is vital for effective management of engineered microbial systems.
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