Title |
[Minireivew]Microbial consortia including methanotrophs: some benefits of living together |
Author |
Rajendra Singh1, Jaewon Ryu2, and Si Wouk Kim*1,2 |
Address |
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea, 2Department of Energy Convergence, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 57(11),939–952, 2019,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-019-9328-8
|
Key Words |
microbial consortia, microbial interaction, methane,
methanotroph, methanol |
Abstract |
With the progress of biotechnological research and improvements
made in bioprocessing with pure cultures, microbial
consortia have gained recognition for accomplishing biological
processes with improved effectiveness. Microbes are
indispensable tool in developing bioprocesses for the production
of bioenergy and biochemicals while utilizing renewable
resources due to technical, economic and environmental
advantages. They communicate with specific cohorts
in close proximity to promote metabolic cooperation. Use of
positive microbial associations has been recognized widely,
especially in food industries and bioremediation of toxic compounds
and waste materials. Role of microbial associations
in developing sustainable energy sources and substitutes for
conventional fuels is highly promising with many commercial
prospects. Detoxification of chemical contaminants sourced
from domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes has also been
achieved through microbial catalysis in pure and co-culture
systems. Methanotrophs, the sole biological sink of greenhouse
gas methane, catalyze the methane monooxygenasemediated
oxidation of methane to methanol, a high energy
density liquid and key platform chemical to produce commodity
chemical compounds and their derivatives. Constructed
microbial consortia have positive effects, such as improved
biomass, biocatalytic potential, stability etc. In a methanotroph-
heterotroph consortium, non-methanotrophs provide
key nutrient factors and alleviate the toxicity from the culture.
Non-methanotrophic organisms biologically stimulate the
growth and activity of methanotrophs via production of growth
stimulators. However, methanotrophs in association with cocultured
microorganisms are in need of further exploration
and thorough investigation to study their interaction mode
and application with improved effectiveness. |