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Updated: May 13, 2026

Compost Microcosms as Microbially Diverse, Natural-like Environments for Microbiome Research in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: September 13, 2022
Intrinsic waste component synergy: calcium-rich eggshell waste modulates fungal-bacterial microbiome toward
Xiang Li1, Shuanglan Cheng1, Xinjie Wang1
1State Environmental Protection Engineering Centre for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China.
Abstract:
The valorization of waste streams into medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) through fungi-bacteria synergy is often hindered by substrate competition and distinct ecological niches. This study demonstrates that eggshell waste acts as a bioregulator to optimize this interaction for caproate production. At a 20 g/L dosage, eggshells facilitated high caproate production (22.3 ± 1.3 gCOD/L) driven by in-situ ethanol supply (11.3 ± 1.9 gCOD/L). The amendment established stable micro-niches, significantly enriching yeasts (Wickerhamomyces, Candida, and Issatchenkia, 69.2%) and chain-elongating bacteria (CEB, Caproiciproducens, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12, 10.2%), while metagenomics confirmed upregulated glycolysis and reverse β-oxidation pathways. Additionally, yeast synergy with CEB via ethanol cross-feeding in a sugar-rich environment can be disrupted under the sugar-depleted phase. The coculture experiments unveiled that 8 g/L Ca2+ alleviates fungi-bacteria conflict and promotes CEB functionality. This study presents a waste valorization strategy, leveraging intrinsic waste synergies to optimize fungal-bacterial interactions and drive endogenous ethanol-based caproate production.
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