Characterization of the core microbial community governing acidogenic processes for the production of valuable bioproducts

Abstract Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and alcohols generated from acidogenic processes are valuable bioresources. However, how the diversity of microorganisms environmental factors affect their generation still poorly understood. In this study, 18 different inocula 42 sludges lab-scale reactors were collected to analyze microbial communities metabolic potential using 16S rRNA genes high throughput sequencing coupled with PICRUSt2. 23 out 30732 distinctive amplicon sequence variants identified as core features 34.8% them (e.g., Clostridium spp .) positively correlated most common product acetate. PICRUSt2 shows that an average 27% predicted fermentation-pathway was assigned features, suggesting crucial roles in acidogenesis. From network aspect, had a slightly higher number nodes (12%), but significantly lower numbers edges (109%) neighbors (132%) compared inoculum network. A total 28 independent subnetworks large small scales extracted The decentralized distribution these emphasized non-co-occurring relationships. electrode significant variable (48.2–49.3% explanation), affecting more than 50% fermentation pathways. Results study importance rather performance highlighted response community changes, which may be applied practical applications optimize performance.