Composite microbe analysis revealed that MC3F was composed
of both aerobic/facultative anaerobic and strictly anaerobic bacteria
which stably co-existed in the consortium. No fungi were detected,
probably because of the high temperature and relatively oxygen
limited culture conditions. Anaerobic cellulolytic clostridia and
aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria are often simultaneously
detected in different environments where degradation of plant
biomass occurs [35]. Their co-existence is assumed to be important
for effective lignocellulose degradation by complex metabolic
interaction. The balance of various types of metabolic relationships
is considered to be essential for the stable co-existence
of the composite members in the community, which results in
efficient biomass degradation [36]. In the previously reported consortium
bred from rice straw compost, non-cellulolytic facultative