Substrate preference triggers metabolic patterns of indigenous microbiome during initial composting stages

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Microbiology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Composting organic waste is a vital sustainable recycling method in agriculture.
• Microbial roles in composting efficiency and substrate preferences require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze substrate-driven microbiome variations in straw and manure composts.
• To identify key dissolved substrates influencing microbial preferences and composting outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 210 datasets of 16S ribosomal DNA amplicon sequences.
• Compilation of a database of 278 bacterial isolates from worldwide composts.
• Investigation of substrate-specific microbial adaptations and their impact on composting parameters.

Main Results:

• Substrate-driven microbiome variations are most significant in initial composting stages.
• Indigenous synthetic communities show substrate-specific adaptations, increasing temperature (2-10%), microbial abundance (44-233%), and activity (26-60%).
• Choline, succinic acid (straw), and phloretin, uric acid (manure) are key substrates driving microbial preferences.

Conclusions:

• Substrate-specific microbiomes can be engineered to enhance composting efficiency.
• Targeted strategies can accelerate temperature rise and extend the thermophilic phase.
• This research provides a framework for optimizing composting of diverse organic waste types.