Weissella confusa

General Information

Weissella confusa is a lactic acid bacterium that has garnered significant interest due to its probiotic potential and industrial applications. This microorganism is part of the Weissella genus, which is known for its role in the fermentation of various foods. One of the most intriguing aspects of W. confusa is its ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), which have applications in food technology as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers. In addition to its industrial uses, W. confusa has been studied for its health benefits. It has shown promise in improving gut health by enhancing the gut microbiota and has potential antimicrobial properties that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This makes it a candidate for use in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Another unique feature of W. confusa is its tolerance to acidic environments, which is beneficial for its survival and activity in the gastrointestinal tract. This characteristic also makes it suitable for use in the fermentation of acidic foods and beverages, such as pickles and certain dairy products. From a research perspective, W. confusa is valuable for its genetic diversity and adaptability to different environments. Studies on its genome have revealed insights into the mechanisms behind its probiotic effects and its ability to produce bioactive compounds. This makes W. confusa a fascinating subject for further research in microbiology, biotechnology, and food science.

Weissella confusa is a fascinating lactic acid bacterium that belongs to the genus Weissella, which is known for its role in food fermentation and its potential health benefits. This organism is particularly interesting due to its ability to ferment a wide range of carbohydrates, making it valuable in various fermentation processes, especially in the production of fermented foods such as kimchi and other vegetable-based products. Its metabolic versatility allows it to thrive in diverse environments, including those with low pH and high salt concentrations. One of the unique aspects of Weissella confusa is its production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), which can enhance the texture and stability of fermented products. These EPS have been studied for their potential prebiotic effects, promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota. This characteristic positions Weissella confusa as a candidate for probiotic applications, contributing to gut health and overall well-being. Additionally, Weissella confusa has been isolated from various sources, including human saliva and fermented foods, indicating its adaptability and potential role in human health. Research into this organism has revealed its potential in biotechnological applications, such as the development of functional foods and natural preservatives. Its ability to produce lactic acid also suggests a role in food preservation, as lactic acid can inhibit the growth of spoilage organisms and pathogens. Overall, Weissella confusa stands out not only for its contributions to food science but also for its implications in health and nutrition, making it a valuable subject for ongoing research in microbiology and biotechnology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Lactobacillales

Family: Lactobacillaceae

Genus: Weissella

Species: Weissella confusa

NCBI ID

1583

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/004/771/075/GCF_004771075.1_ASM477107v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_004771075.1_ASM477107v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Weissella confusa is a member of the lactic acid bacteria group and has garnered attention for its potential role in human health and disease. It is primarily known for its presence in fermented foods and has been studied for its potential as a probiotic. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Weissella confusa has been associated with the fermentation of various food products, contributing to their flavor and preservation, which may enhance gut health and immune response in consumers. However, there are clinical implications regarding its pathogenicity. While Weissella confusa is generally considered non-pathogenic, there have been rare reports of it being associated with infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. These cases highlight the need for caution when using probiotics, as they can occasionally lead to adverse effects in susceptible populations. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, there is limited data available on Weissella confusa. However, like many lactic acid bacteria, it may possess intrinsic resistance to certain antibiotics, which is an important consideration in clinical settings, especially when treating infections. Overall, the clinical relevance of Weissella confusa lies in its dual role as a potential probiotic and its rare association with infections, necessitating further research to fully understand its implications in human health and disease.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Weissella confusa is a lactic acid bacterium commonly found in various habitats associated with fermentation processes. This microorganism thrives in environments rich in carbohydrates, particularly in the presence of sugars, making it prevalent in fermented foods and dairy products. Its ability to ferment sugars into lactic acid contributes to the preservation and flavor development of these foods, highlighting its role as a key player in food microbiology. Fermented Foods: Weissella confusa is often isolated from a variety of fermented products, including vegetables, meats, and dairy. In these environments, it participates in the fermentation process, enhancing the taste and texture of the final product. Its presence can also inhibit the growth of spoilage organisms, thus playing a protective role in food preservation. Dairy Environments: In dairy products, Weissella confusa can be found in yogurt and cheese, where it contributes to the development of flavor and texture. Its ability to produce lactic acid not only aids in the fermentation process but also helps in lowering the pH, which is crucial for the safety and quality of dairy products. Symbiotic Relationships: This microorganism often exists in symbiotic relationships with other lactic acid bacteria, contributing to a diverse microbial community that enhances the fermentation process. These interactions can lead to improved fermentation efficiency and the development of unique flavors in fermented products. Overall, Weissella confusa is an important microorganism in various biomes related to food production, showcasing its adaptability and significance in both ecological and economic contexts.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Weissella confusa has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the primary areas of interest is in biotechnology, where Weissella confusa is utilized in the fermentation process of food products, particularly in the production of fermented vegetables and dairy products. This organism contributes to the development of flavor and texture in products like kimchi and yogurt, enhancing their nutritional value and shelf life. In the realm of waste management, Weissella confusa has been studied for its ability to degrade organic waste materials. Its role in biodegradation processes allows for the effective breakdown of complex organic compounds, making it a valuable asset in composting and waste treatment facilities. Moreover, Weissella confusa is being explored for its potential in biofuel production. The organism can participate in fermentation processes that convert biomass into bioethanol, providing a renewable energy source. This application is particularly relevant in the context of sustainable energy solutions. In pharmaceutical development, Weissella confusa has been investigated for its probiotic properties, which may contribute to gut health and overall well-being. Its ability to produce bioactive compounds during fermentation could lead to the development of new functional foods and dietary supplements. Overall, Weissella confusa demonstrates versatility across multiple industries, making it a promising candidate for further research and application in biotechnology, waste management, biofuel production, and pharmaceutical development.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 11

LLM predicted phenotypes: 2

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-pro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain variable ✗
Aerophilicity	aerobic	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	TRUE	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false
Host association	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	beta	N/A	N/A	gamma ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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