Synergistic interactions in core microbiome Rhizobiales accelerate 1,4-dioxane biodegradation

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized taxa identification within contaminant-degrading communities. However, uncovering a core degrading microbiome in diverse polluted environments and understanding its associated microbial interactions remains challenging. In this study, we isolated two distinct microbial consortia, namely MA-S and Cl-G, from separate environmental samples using 1,4-dioxane as a target pollutant. Both consortia exhibited a persistent prevalence of the phylum Proteobacteria, especially within the order Rhizobiales. Extensive analysis confirmed that Rhizobiales as the dominant microbial population (> 90 %) across successive degradation cycles, constituting the core degrading microbiome. Co-occurrence network analysis highlighted synergistic interactions within Rhizobiales, especially within the Shinella and Xanthobacter genera, facilitating efficient 1,4-dioxane degradation. The enrichment of Rhizobiales correlated with an increased abundance of essential genes such as PobA, HpaB, ADH, and ALDH. Shinella yambaruensis emerged as a key degrader in both consortia, identified through whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq analysis, revealing genes implicated in 1,4-dioxane degradation pathways, such as PobA and HpaB. Direct and indirect co-cultivation experiments confirmed synergistic interaction between Shinella sp. and Xanthobacter sp., enhancing the degradation of 1,4-dioxane within the core microbiome Rhizobiales. Our findings advocate for integrating the core microbiome concept into engineered consortia to optimize 1,4-dioxane bioremediation strategies.