Mechanisms of microbial co-aggregation in mixed anaerobic cultures

Anna Doloman*, Diana Z. Sousa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract: Co-aggregation of anaerobic microorganisms into suspended microbial biofilms (aggregates) serves ecological and biotechnological functions. Tightly packed aggregates of metabolically interdependent bacteria and archaea play key roles in cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Additionally, in biotechnological applications, such as wastewater treatment, microbial aggregates provide a complete metabolic network to convert complex organic material. Currently, experimental data explaining the mechanisms behind microbial co-aggregation in anoxic environments is scarce and scattered across the literature. To what extent does this process resemble co-aggregation in aerobic environments? Does the limited availability of terminal electron acceptors drive mutualistic microbial relationships, contrary to the commensal relationships observed in oxygen-rich environments? And do co-aggregating bacteria and archaea, which depend on each other to harvest the bare minimum Gibbs energy from energy-poor substrates, use similar cellular mechanisms as those used by pathogenic bacteria that form biofilms? Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of why and how mixed anaerobic microbial communities co-aggregate and discuss potential future scientific advancements that could improve the study of anaerobic suspended aggregates. Key points: • Metabolic dependency promotes aggregation of anaerobic bacteria and archaea • Flagella, pili, and adhesins play a role in the formation of anaerobic aggregates • Cyclic di-GMP/AMP signaling may trigger the polysaccharides production in anaerobes.

Original languageEnglish
Article number407
JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Volume108
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • Anaerobic biofilm
  • Cell-to-cell adhesion
  • Co-aggregation
  • Exopolysaccharides
  • Syntrophy

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