Interdomain Co-Cultures setup enhancing Lignocellulose Degradation

Co-cultures involving fungi and bacteria significantly engance lignocellulose degradation, especially hemicellulose. Synergistic enzyme activities and specific gene overexpression demonstrate the potential for efficient bioproduct production.

Agricultural co-products, once considered non-valuable waste, are increasingly being used in biorefinery processes. Co-culture is emerging as a new trend to enhance lignocellulose degradation and the production of bioproducts. The study aimed to establish inter-domain co-cultures with high lignocellulose degradation capabilities using a multidisciplinary approach that combined bioinformatics, enzymology, and transcriptomics. Different lignocellulolytic strains were used, including Trichoderma reesei QM6a and three bacteria from different phyla (Streptomyces coelicolor A3, Rhizobium sp. XylPr11, and Sphingobacterium prati AraPr2). Synergistic activities were observed and quantified under co-culture conditions, particularly for xylanase and peroxidase activities, reaching 2 IU/mL and 430 IU/mL respectively in the most promising co-culture (T. reesei QM6a/S. coelicolor A3). ATR-FTIR analysis revealed a significant impact of co-culture on the substrate, especially for hemicellulose degradation. Transcriptomics of S. coelicolor A3, in both mono- and co-culture, showed a similar profile with specific overexpression of certain CAZyme genes involved in glycolysis, due to the hydrolytic role of the fungal partner. This study demonstrated the technological feasibility and relevance of interdomain co-cultures.

Contact: ludovic.besaury@univ-reims.fr

Reference : DETAIN, Julian et BESAURY, Ludovic. Degradation of lignocellulose by different bacterial and fungal co-cultures. Current Research in Microbial Sciences, 2024, p. 100271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100271