Tufts University researchers used microbes from real sourdough starters to study how species interact. The work, published in Ecology, tested whether simple pairwise measures can predict which microbes will live together.
The team measured growth of each microbe alone and then in pairs. They built a model from those measures and then tested it with larger communities grown together in lab dishes, including mixtures with up to nine species. The model often predicted which species would coexist and their relative amounts.
When predictions missed a few species, the researchers changed the model to include the starter’s repeated cycle of using and feeding. This change made predictions better and may help baking, food safety, and health.
Difficult words
- microbe — very small living organism seen with microscopemicrobes
- starter — small amount of dough used to make sourdoughstarters, starter’s
- species — a group of similar living organisms
- model — a simple plan or system to test ideas
- predict — to say what will happen before it occurspredicted
- coexist — to live or exist together in same place
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could better predictions help people who bake with sourdough?
- Do you think studying microbes can help food safety? Why or why not?
- Would you like to try growing a sourdough starter? Why?
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