Microbial community structure and dynamics in thermophilic composting viewed through metagenomics and metatranscriptomics

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Antunes, Luciana Principal ; Martins, Layla Farage ; Pereira, Roberta Verciano ; Thomas, Andrew Maltez ; Barbosa, Deibs ; Lemos, Leandro Nascimento ; Machado Silva, Gianluca Major ; Silva Moura, Livia Maria ; Condomitti Epamino, George Willian ; Digiampietri, Luciano Antonio ; Lombardi, Karen Cristina ; Ramos, Patricia Locosque ; Quaggio, Ronaldo Bento ; Franco de Oliveira, Julio Cezar ; Pascon, Renata Castiglioni ; da Cruz, Joao Batista ; da Silva, Aline Maria ; Setubal, Joao Carlos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 6, DEC 12 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 28

Abstract

Composting is a promising source of new organisms and thermostable enzymes that may be helpful in environmental management and industrial processes. Here we present results of metagenomicand metatranscriptomic-based analyses of a large composting operation in the Sao Paulo Zoo Park. This composting exhibits a sustained thermophilic profile (50 degrees C to 75 degrees C), which seems to preclude fungal activity. The main novelty of our study is the combination of time-series sampling with shotgun DNA, 16S rRNA gene amplicon, and metatranscriptome high-throughput sequencing, enabling an unprecedented detailed view of microbial community structure, dynamics, and function in this ecosystem. The time-series data showed that the turning procedure has a strong impact on the compost microbiota, restoring to a certain extent the population profile seen at the beginning of the process; and that lignocellulosic biomass deconstruction occurs synergistically and sequentially, with hemicellulose being degraded preferentially to cellulose and lignin. Moreover, our sequencing data allowed near-complete genome reconstruction of five bacterial species previously found in biomass-degrading environments and of a novel biodegrading bacterial species, likely a new genus in the order Bacillales. The data and analyses provided are a rich source for additional investigations of thermophilic composting microbiology. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50870-6 - Studies of microbial diversity in the Zoological Park of the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: João Carlos Setubal
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants