Dynamic social interactions and keystone species shape the diversity and stability of mixed-species biofilms - an example from dairy isolates.

ABSTRACT: Identifying interspecies interactions in mixed-species biofilms is a key challenge in microbial ecology and is of paramount importance given that interactions govern community functionality and stability. We previously reported a bacterial four-species biofilm model comprising Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Bacillus licheniformis, Microbacterium lacticum, and Calidifontibacter indicus that were isolated from the surface of a dairy pasteuriser after cleaning and disinfection. These bacteria produced 3.13-fold more biofilm mass compared to the sum of biofilm masses in monoculture. The present study confirms that the observed community synergy results from dynamic social interactions, encompassing commensalism, exploitation, and amensalism. M. lacticum appears to be the keystone species as it i

SUBMITTER: Sadiq FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10651889 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature