Investigating Microbial Community Composition Using Targeted Secondary Metabolites in Sagebrush
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Leonora Bittleston (Mentor) Boise State University
Abstract
Investigating plant secondary metabolites' role in shaping microbial communities is important for understanding plant-microbe interactions. Compounds in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) such as pinene, limonene, borneol, and camphor are known for their antimicrobial properties, yet certain microbes continue to thrive in this environment. This study investigates how these specific chemical compounds influence microbial community composition. We hypothesize that the chemistry of sagebrush will selectively promote or inhibit the growth of particular microbes. By adding these targeted secondary metabolites to growth media at different concentrations, 0.1 and 0.4, and placing them in a natural sagebrush habitat, we aimed to mimic the plant's chemical environment and observe its effects on microbial assembly. Our study revealed that the concentration of secondary metabolites affected microbial growth. A 0.4% concentration tended to result in less microbial growth compared to a 0.1% concentration, with the most pronounced effect observed in treatments with borneol. Among the tested compounds, camphor and pinene often exhibited the highest levels of microbial growth, and the control samples consistently showed abundant microbial growth. Our findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which host plant chemistry drives microbial community formation.
Investigating Microbial Community Composition Using Targeted Secondary Metabolites in Sagebrush
Investigating plant secondary metabolites' role in shaping microbial communities is important for understanding plant-microbe interactions. Compounds in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) such as pinene, limonene, borneol, and camphor are known for their antimicrobial properties, yet certain microbes continue to thrive in this environment. This study investigates how these specific chemical compounds influence microbial community composition. We hypothesize that the chemistry of sagebrush will selectively promote or inhibit the growth of particular microbes. By adding these targeted secondary metabolites to growth media at different concentrations, 0.1 and 0.4, and placing them in a natural sagebrush habitat, we aimed to mimic the plant's chemical environment and observe its effects on microbial assembly. Our study revealed that the concentration of secondary metabolites affected microbial growth. A 0.4% concentration tended to result in less microbial growth compared to a 0.1% concentration, with the most pronounced effect observed in treatments with borneol. Among the tested compounds, camphor and pinene often exhibited the highest levels of microbial growth, and the control samples consistently showed abundant microbial growth. Our findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which host plant chemistry drives microbial community formation.