Detoxifying and depolymerizing microorganisms reveal intertwined guild collaborations in the gut microbiome of a generalist macro-algivorous fish.

ABSTRACT: The biotransformation of macroalgal biomass represents a major catabolic challenge due to its structurally diverse polysaccharides and inhibitory polyphenols. Unlike terrestrial lignocellulosic substrates, macroalgae polysaccharides contain multiple monomer types, branching patterns, and sulfation states. Additionally, macroalgae polyphenols have been shown to inhibit both microbial growth and their catalytic enzymes. While herbivorous fishes have evolved specialized gut microbiota to process these substrates, the enzymatic pathways remain poorly characterized, with few experimentally validated polysaccharide utilization loci or biochemically defined marine sulfatases, and limited understanding of polyphenol degradation. Here, we developed in vitro microcosms, based on the gut micro

SUBMITTER: Plominsky AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12637443 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature