Investigating the Carbon Substrate Use of Yeast and Bacteria from Sarracenia purpurea Microcosms
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Leonora Bittleston, Boise State University; and Fiona Harrigian, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Yeast and bacteria interact in ecosystems around the world, using many different carbon substrates present in these environments to grow. One specific ecosystem is the fluid within the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea. In the pitcher microcosms, insect prey are captured and decomposed by the bacteria and likely the yeast present. The decomposed insects contain different substrates that the yeast and bacteria can use as carbon sources to grow and replicate. Using colorimetric Biolog Ecoplates that indicate metabolic activity, we determined which of a set of 31 carbon substrates bacteria and yeast from S. purpurea use. Our results showed that most of the yeasts could utilise ��-Methyl- D-Glucoside and D-Cellobiose. When comparing between strains, we noticed that the yeast PF013 utilized fewer carbon sources than the other yeasts in the experiment. The three Pedobacter strains grew on similar but not identical sets of substrates. N-Ace-tyl-D-Glucos-amine was a substrate that was utilised by all bacteria. These results will help to inform potential interactions within microbial communities of yeast and bacteria.
Investigating the Carbon Substrate Use of Yeast and Bacteria from Sarracenia purpurea Microcosms
Yeast and bacteria interact in ecosystems around the world, using many different carbon substrates present in these environments to grow. One specific ecosystem is the fluid within the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea. In the pitcher microcosms, insect prey are captured and decomposed by the bacteria and likely the yeast present. The decomposed insects contain different substrates that the yeast and bacteria can use as carbon sources to grow and replicate. Using colorimetric Biolog Ecoplates that indicate metabolic activity, we determined which of a set of 31 carbon substrates bacteria and yeast from S. purpurea use. Our results showed that most of the yeasts could utilise ��-Methyl- D-Glucoside and D-Cellobiose. When comparing between strains, we noticed that the yeast PF013 utilized fewer carbon sources than the other yeasts in the experiment. The three Pedobacter strains grew on similar but not identical sets of substrates. N-Ace-tyl-D-Glucos-amine was a substrate that was utilised by all bacteria. These results will help to inform potential interactions within microbial communities of yeast and bacteria.