微生物を利用して主食作物のタンパク質量を向上(New UD research suggests microbes could increase protein in staple crops)

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2025-10-13 デラウェア大学

デラウェア大学の植物生物学者ハーシュ・バイス教授らは、土壌微生物が作物中のタンパク質含量を高める可能性を示した。研究では、春小麦と共生する放線菌Streptomyces coelicolorが、植物の根圏でアミノ酸合成経路を活性化させ、タンパク質生成を促進することを発見。微生物を接種した小麦では、対照区よりも窒素利用効率とタンパク質濃度が向上した。化学肥料に依存せず栄養価を高める持続的農法として注目され、食糧安全保障や栄養改善に寄与する可能性がある。成果は『Frontiers in Microbiology』誌に掲載。

<関連情報>

Streptomyces coelicolorと植物の関連性がTriticum aestivumにおけるエルゴチオネインの取り込みを促進する
Streptomyces coelicolor-plant association facilitates ergothioneine uptake in Triticum aestivum

Alexandra Pipinos,Jinjun Kan,Andrew SmithG,ladis Zinati,Harsh Bais
Frontiers in Microbiology  Published:18 July 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1637050

The growing market of agricultural biologicals as alternatives to synthetic crop chemicals is driven by their ability to improve soil health, reduce carbon footprints, enhance crop yield and quality, and help counter declining protein levels in cereal crops linked to climate change and soil degradation. Ergothioneine (EGT), an amino acid with recognized nutraceutical and micronutrient properties, has gained popularity for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties on human health. While plants and humans cannot biosynthesize EGT, its production by Streptomyces coelicolor presents as a promising bio-stimulant to support overall plant and human health. Our study investigates the potential for S. coelicolor M145 to enhance EGT levels in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum). Results confirmed successful EGT extraction from bacterial cell extracts and plant tissues. The bacterial cells grown in nutrient rich media showed significant levels of EGT post day 7 of incubation, with an average of 0.32 μM of EGT, while bacteria growing in the limiting nutrient condition produced an average of 0.27 μM EGT. In parallel, wheat plants inoculated with S. coelicolor and extracted for EGT on day 10 post incubation, showed higher shoot EGT content (0.1168 ± 0.071 μM) in bacteria treated plants. Additionally, a fluorescent confocal microscopy staining and imaging protocol showed bacterial colonization on T. aestivum and its potential as a root endophyte. Following root inoculation, S. coelicolor was observed to inhabit roots, shoots, and internodes of T. aestivum, suggesting its potential endophytic lifestyle on host plants. Our data showed that S. coelicolor-associated wheat plants produce EGT in planta. Overall, our findings establish a direct link between soil and human health through rhizosphere colonization by S. coelicolor and in planta production of EGT, suggesting an alternate route to enhance protein concentration in crop plants.

生物環境工学
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