Distribution and ecology of the generalist lactic acid bacterium Carnobacterium maltaromaticum in different freshwater habitats: Metabolic and antagonistic abilities

Taya Tang, Laura Daniela Martinenghi, Yaovi Mahuton Gildas Hounmanou, Jørgen J. Leisner*

*Corresponding author for this work

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4 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

We explored the distribution, metabolic and antagonistic activities of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, isolated from freshwater locations in Denmark during winter or early spring. This species was widely distributed in such habitats although it was relatively rare in low pH locations. Isolates possessed a diverse metabolism, potentially enabling functional capacities independent of habitat. The intraspecies competition showed a relatively high degree of mostly low-intensity interactions, which overall were not correlated with phylogeny or location. Only a few isolates exhibited broad-spectrum inhibition activity, targeting species from other genera and families, including one isolate that exhibited a broad inhibitory activity due to H2 O2 production. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the frequency of bacteriocinogenic systems was low, and only one unmodified bacteriocin, piscicolin 126, correlated with phenotypic antagonistic activity. Furthermore, most potential bacteriocin gene complexes were not complete. Overall, this study showed C. maltaromaticum to be a generalist (nomadic) species with a constant presence in freshwater habitats, especially those with pH values >5. General metabolic properties did not suggest a strong degree of adaptation to the freshwater environment, and bacteriocin-mediated antagonistic activities appeared to play a minimal ecological role.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironmental Microbiology
Volume25
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)3556-3576
Number of pages21
ISSN1462-2912
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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© 2023 The Authors. Environmental Microbiology published by Applied Microbiology International and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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