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Electro-stimulation modulates syntrophic interactions in methanogenic toluene-degrading microbiota for enhanced
Zhiming Wu1, Yanhan Ji2, Guiping Liu2
1Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China.
Electro-stimulation enhances microbial toluene degradation and methane production by optimizing syntrophic interactions. This study reveals key microbial players and electron transfer mechanisms in electro-stimulated communities for improved biodegradation.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Anaerobic Digestion
Background:
- Microbial syntrophy is crucial for anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation and methanogenesis.
- Understanding metabolic and electronic interactions in electro-stimulated consortia is limited, hindering biotechnological applications.
- Electro-stimulation offers a potential strategy to enhance these processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of electro-stimulation on methanogenic toluene degradation.
- To elucidate the microbial community structure and metabolic interactions under electro-stimulation.
- To identify key microorganisms and electron transfer mechanisms responsible for enhanced performance.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of electro-stimulated (800 mV) and non-stimulated methanogenic toluene-degrading microbiota.
- Analysis of toluene degradation and methane production efficiencies.
- Metagenomic sequencing and gene amplification (bamA) to identify microbial taxa and functional genes.
Main Results:
- Electro-stimulation significantly increased toluene degradation (11.49–14.76%) and methane production (75.58–290.11%).
- Specific microbial recruitment to electrodes: Desulfoprunum sp. (MAG10) at the anode and Methanobacterium sp. (MAG74) at the cathode.
- Identified electron transfer pathways involving syntrophs, electrogens, and methanogens via e-pili, cytochromes, and hydrogen.
Conclusions:
- Electro-stimulation reshapes microbial communities and enhances syntrophic interactions for efficient toluene degradation and methanogenesis.
- Desulfoprunum sp. and Methanobacterium sp. play critical roles in electro-stimulated toluene-degrading consortia.
- Understanding these electron transfer mechanisms is key to optimizing microbial community functionality for bioremediation and biogas production.
