Plate wash metagenome of urban soil microbiome
During years of investigating soil microbial communities, our research group consistently observed a predominance of carotenoid-producing microbes in urban soil samples. These microbes were characteristically pigmented in hues typical of carotenoids, in contrast to samples from recreational, rural, or non-urban areas. To validate this observation as non-random and to explore the ecological role of carotenoid-producing microorganisms in urban soils, we conducted a series of experiments. Additionally, we extended our study to other components of the urban ecosystem that may harbor and transfer microbial communities, including dust and snow samples. Metagenomic analysis of the culturome washes was also performed to provide deeper insights into the microbial communities present. Metagenome of urban isolates clearly show elevated biodiversity of carotenoid biosynthesis genes and carotenoid-producing taxa, as compared to metagenome of natural habitat.