Metagenome Survey of a Multispecies and Alga-Associated Biofilm Revealed Key Elements of Bacterial-Algal Interactions in Photobioreactors

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.01641-13
• Publication Date: 2013-08-03T05:06:27Z
• Authors: Ines Krohn-Molt; Bernd Wemheuer; Malik Alawi; Anja Poehlein; Simon Güllert; Christel Schmeisser; Andreas Pommereni...; Adam Grundhoff; Rolf Daniel; Dieter Hanelt; Wolfgang R. Streit
• Keywords: Alphaproteobacteria; Photobioreactor; Chlorella vulgaris; Betaproteobacteria; Phylogenetic diversity

Photobioreactors (PBRs) are very attractive for sunlight-driven production of biofuels and capturing anthropogenic CO2. One major problem associated with PBRs however, is that the bacteria usually microalgae in nonaxenic cultures can lead to biofouling thereby affect algal productivity. Here, we report on a phylogenetic, metagenome, functional analysis mixed-species bacterial biofilm Chlorella vulgaris Scenedesmus obliquus PBR. The diversity population dynamics were examined through 16S rRNA phylogeny. Overall, was rather limited, approximately 30 species algae. majority observed microorganisms affiliated Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes. A combined approach sequencing via GS FLX Titanium from Roche HiSeq 2000 Illumina resulted overall 350 Mbp sequenced DNA, 165 which assembled larger contigs maximum size 0.2 Mbp. KEGG pathway suggested high metabolic respect use polymers aromatic nonaromatic compounds. Genes biosynthesis essential B vitamins highly redundant functional. Moreover, relatively number predicted lipase esterase genes indicated alga-associated possibly sink lipids fatty acids produced by microalgae. This first metagenome study microalga- PBR-associated bacteria, it gives new clues improved biofuel PBRs.