Complex carbohydrates reduce the frequency of antagonistic interactions among bacteria degrading cellulose and xylan.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial competition for resources is common in nature but positive interactions among bacteria are also evident. We speculate that the structural complexity of substrate might play a role in mediating bacterial interactions. We tested the hypothesis that the frequency of antagonistic interactions among lignocellulolytic bacteria is reduced when complex polysaccharide is the main carbon source compared to when a simple sugar such as glucose is available. Results using all possible pairwise interactions among 35 bacteria isolated from salt marsh detritus showed that the frequency of antagonistic interactions was significantly lower on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-xylan medium (7.8%) than on glucose medium (15.5%). The two interaction networks were also different in their structures. Altho

SUBMITTER: Deng YJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5974935 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature