High Level of Interaction between Phages and Bacteria in an Artisanal Raw Milk Cheese Microbial Community
Luciano Lopes Queiroz, Gustavo Augusto Lacorte, William Ricardo Isidorio, Mariza Landgraf, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Uelinton Manoel Pinto, Christian Hoffmann
Abstract
Our work demonstrated a dynamic yet stable microbial ecosystem during cheese production using an endogenous starter culture. This was observed across several distinct producers and was marked by genomic evidence of continued phage-bacterium interactions, such as the presence of bacterial defense mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide evidence of unique microbial signatures for each individual cheese producer studied in the region, a fact that may have profound consequences on product traceability. This was the first effort to describe and understand the bacteriophage composition and ecological dynamics within the Brazilian Canastra cheese production system. The study of this prototypical backslopping production system provides a solid background for further mechanistic studies of the production of many cheeses around the world.