Response of a new rumen-derived Bacillus licheniformis to different carbon sources

INTRODUCTION: Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) is a microorganism with a wide range of probiotic properties and applications. Isolation and identification of novel strains is a major aspect of microbial research. Besides, different carbon sources have varying effects on B. licheniformis in regulating the microenvironment, and these mechanisms need to be investigated further. METHODS: In this study, we isolated and identified a new strain of B. licheniformis from bovine rumen fluid and named it B. licheniformis NXU98. The strain was treated with two distinct carbon sources—microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and cellobiose (CB). A combination of transcriptome and proteome analyses was used to investigate different carbon source effects. RESULTS: The results showed that B. licheniformis NXU98 ABC transporter proteins, antibiotic synthesis, flagellar assembly, cellulase-related pathways, and proteins were significantly upregulated in the MC treatment compared to the CB treatment, and lactate metabolism was inhibited. In addition, we used MC as a distinct carbon source to enhance the antibacterial ability of B. licheniformis NXU98, to improve its disease resistance, and to regulate the rumen microenvironment. DISCUSSION: Our research provides a potential new probiotic for feed research and a theoretical basis for investigating the mechanisms by which bacteria respond to different carbon sources.