Open AccessIdentification of metabolite and protein explanatory variables governing microbiome establishment and re-establishment within a cellulose-degrading anaerobic bioreactor
Author(s) -
Stephen Callister,
Lee Ann McCue,
Amy A. Boaro,
Brian L. LaMarche,
Richard Allen White,
Joseph Brown,
Birgitte K. Ahring
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0204831
Subject(s) - bioreactor , cellulose , microbial population biology , fermentation , propionate , anaerobic exercise , biology , food science , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , biochemistry , bacteria , botany , physiology , genetics , engineering
Proteins, metabolites, and 16S rRNA measurements were used to examine the community structure and functional relationships within a cellulose degrading anaerobic bioreactor. The bioreactor was seeded with bovine rumen fluid and operated with a 4 day hydraulic retention time on cellulose (avicel) as sole carbon and energy source. The reactor performance and microbial community structure was monitored during the establishment of the cellulose-degrading community. After stable operation was established in the bioreactor, the mixing intensity was increased in order to investigate the effect of a physical disruption of the microbial community structure. Finally, the original conditions were re-established to understand the stability of the microbial community after a perturbation. All factors measured were found to be inter-correlated during these three distinct phases of operation (establishment, perturbation and re-establishment). In particular, the return of community structure and function to pre-perturbed conditions suggests that propionate fermentation and acetate utilization were the explanatory factors for community establishment and re-establishment.