Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications
Abstract Background Coumarins are toxic phytochemicals found in a variety of plants and are known to limit microbial degradation and interfere with nutrient cycling. While the degradation of coumarins by fungi has been studied in an environmental context, little is known about their degradation in t...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01195-9 |
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| author | Yuqi Li Jian Gao Yaxiong Cao Xinming Cheng Zhanying Sun Jiyu Zhang Weiyun Zhu Martin Gierus Yanfen Cheng |
| author_facet | Yuqi Li Jian Gao Yaxiong Cao Xinming Cheng Zhanying Sun Jiyu Zhang Weiyun Zhu Martin Gierus Yanfen Cheng |
| author_sort | Yuqi Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Coumarins are toxic phytochemicals found in a variety of plants and are known to limit microbial degradation and interfere with nutrient cycling. While the degradation of coumarins by fungi has been studied in an environmental context, little is known about their degradation in the gastrointestinal system of herbivores after ingestion. Results In this study, we investigated in vitro fermentation by microbial enrichment, transcriptome sequencing, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate the ability of rumen anaerobic fungi to degrade coumarins. The results showed that despite the low abundance of anaerobic fungi in the rumen microbiota, they were able to effectively degrade coumarins. Specifically, Pecoramyces ruminantium F1 could tolerate coumarin concentrations up to 3 mmol/L and degrade it efficiently via metabolic pathways involving alpha/beta hydrolases and NAD(P)H oxidoreductases within the late growth phase. The fungus metabolized coumarin to less toxic compounds, including o-coumaric acid and melilotic acid, highlighting the detoxification potential of anaerobic fungi. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate the ability of rumen anaerobic fungi to degrade coumarin, providing new insights into the use of anaerobic fungi in sustainable agricultural practices and environmental detoxification strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28b528c6903e443ba866c9412dc76fd2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2049-1891 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-28b528c6903e443ba866c9412dc76fd22025-08-20T02:17:56ZengBMCJournal of Animal Science and Biotechnology2049-18912025-04-0116111610.1186/s40104-025-01195-9Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applicationsYuqi Li0Jian Gao1Yaxiong Cao2Xinming Cheng3Zhanying Sun4Jiyu Zhang5Weiyun Zhu6Martin Gierus7Yanfen Cheng8Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityState Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Centre of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityDepartment of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Livestock Products and Nutrition Physiology (TIER), BOKU UniversityLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Centre for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Coumarins are toxic phytochemicals found in a variety of plants and are known to limit microbial degradation and interfere with nutrient cycling. While the degradation of coumarins by fungi has been studied in an environmental context, little is known about their degradation in the gastrointestinal system of herbivores after ingestion. Results In this study, we investigated in vitro fermentation by microbial enrichment, transcriptome sequencing, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate the ability of rumen anaerobic fungi to degrade coumarins. The results showed that despite the low abundance of anaerobic fungi in the rumen microbiota, they were able to effectively degrade coumarins. Specifically, Pecoramyces ruminantium F1 could tolerate coumarin concentrations up to 3 mmol/L and degrade it efficiently via metabolic pathways involving alpha/beta hydrolases and NAD(P)H oxidoreductases within the late growth phase. The fungus metabolized coumarin to less toxic compounds, including o-coumaric acid and melilotic acid, highlighting the detoxification potential of anaerobic fungi. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate the ability of rumen anaerobic fungi to degrade coumarin, providing new insights into the use of anaerobic fungi in sustainable agricultural practices and environmental detoxification strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01195-9Anaerobic fungiCoumarinDetoxicationMelilotus officinalisMicrobial degradation |
| spellingShingle | Yuqi Li Jian Gao Yaxiong Cao Xinming Cheng Zhanying Sun Jiyu Zhang Weiyun Zhu Martin Gierus Yanfen Cheng Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology Anaerobic fungi Coumarin Detoxication Melilotus officinalis Microbial degradation |
| title | Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| title_full | Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| title_fullStr | Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| title_short | Detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi: insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| title_sort | detoxification of coumarins by rumen anaerobic fungi insights into microbial degradation pathways and agricultural applications |
| topic | Anaerobic fungi Coumarin Detoxication Melilotus officinalis Microbial degradation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01195-9 |
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