Mechanistic insights into the success of xenobiotic degraders resolved from metagenomes of microbial enrichment cultures

Even though microbial communities can be more effective at degrading xenobiotics than cultured micro-organisms, yet little is known about the strategies that underpin xenobiotic biodegradation by communities. Here, we employ metagenomic community sequencing to explore mechanisms drive development of 49 xenobiotic-degrading communities, which were enriched from 7 contaminated soils or sediments with a range compounds. We show multiple likely notably (i) presence genes encoding catabolic enzymes degrade xenobiotics; (ii) efflux pumps; (iii) auxiliary on plasmids; and (iv) positive interactions dominate efficient degradation. Overall, integrated analyses ecological advance our understanding processes driving promote design bioremediation systems. • Multiple traits co-drive success Catabolic predict ability microbes xenobiotics. Horizontal gene acquisition via plasmids appears common. Efflux pumps enhance solvent tolerance. Co-occurrence network reveals predominant cooperation.