Enhancing Biodiversity-Function Relationships in Field Retting: Towards Key Microbial Indicators for Retting Control.

ABSTRACT: Hemp field retting is a bioprocess that facilitates fibre extraction by degrading pectin and other matrix components surrounding fibre bundles. However, traditional methods rely on empirical practices, often resulting in inconsistent fibre quality. This study investigates the biodiversity-function relationship in the hemp retting ecosystem to identify microbial and enzymatic indicators for improved process control. Over six weeks of field retting, we monitored bacterial and fungal community dynamics using high-throughput sequencing and assessed enzymatic activity profiles. Our results revealed a sequential enzymatic pattern: pectinases (e.g., polygalacturonase) dominated early stages, followed by hemicellulases (β-xylosidase, β-galactosidase), and later cellulases. These enzymatic shifts w

SUBMITTER: Bou Orm E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12175878 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature