Harnessing the Power of Microbial Consortia: Formation, Mechanisms, and Applications for Sustainable Solutions

Authors

  • Aman Kumar ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2328-1040
  • Mansi Rani ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1027-691X
  • Shaista Islam ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7542-8267
  • Anjali Kondinya ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4363-8237
  • Aparna Kumari ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4730-506X
  • Akanskha Sinha ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2368-1872
  • Rupali Rani ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6665-3450
  • Shubhankar Kumar Singh ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007 Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0292-6483

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70130/CAST.2025.8106

Keywords:

microbial consortia, quorum sensing, microbial communication, sustainable solutions, ecosystem functions, bioremediations, consortia formation, Consortia mechanisms, Consortia applications

Abstract

The application and use of microbial consortia in recent time has gained attention in various field for their synergistic capabilities, versatility, and increased efficiency in several processes like agriculture, environmental remediation, industrial production and human health. The benefit of microbial consortia provides a way for sustainable and innovative solutions in several industries. This review is to provide a comprehensive analysis about the microbial consortia relating to formation, mechanisms and efficiency giving emphasis to their potential advantages over single strain system. This review mainly aims to highlight the current state of microbial consortia research and to suggest future directions which include the development in synthetic biology and metagenomics for optimising their potential in several sector. This review also discusses the development of artificial consortia showing the factors affecting their composition, stability, and function. The mechanisms and their cooperative interactions like nutrient exchange, metabolic cooperation and communication pathways, which leads to their robustness and adaptability have also been discussed. It has been also discussed in the review regarding the various application such as biofertilizer production, pollutant degradation, waste water treatment and biofuel production. This study also discusses several benefits and challenges like maintaining stability, scalability and regulatory concern.

Author Biographies

  • Aman Kumar, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007

    I am Aman Kumar, a microbiologist specializing in molecular biology and immunology, with a focus on infectious diseases. Since January 2024, I’ve worked as a Project Junior Research Fellow (JRF) at ICMR-RMRIMS Patna, conducting research on visceral leishmaniasis. My expertise includes developing PCR assays, performing ELISA, and handling animal models like BALB/c mice, Golden hamsters, and rabbits for experimental studies.

    I hold a Master’s in Applied Microbiology from Banaras Hindu University (2023). My dissertation, "Effect of Cd-resistant rhizobacteria on growth performance of Lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plants," explored plant-microbe interactions in environmental microbiology.

    Committed to advancing research in parasitology and immunology, I aim to contribute to impactful discoveries that address global health challenges.

  • Mansi Rani, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & family Welfare Govt. of India. Agamkuan, Patna-800007

    Mansi Rani is a biotechnology researcher with expertise in biochemical assays, immunology, and plant-based studies. She holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the Central University of South Bihar and a B.Sc. from Patna Science College. Mansi’s research at ICMR-RMRIMS focused on the role of Lymphocyte Function Associated Antigen-3 in visceral leishmaniasis. Currently, she works as a Project Assistant on drug repurposing and nanoparticle-based therapies for treating visceral leishmaniasis. Her technical skills include PCR, HPLC, FACS, ELISA, and cell culture. Mansi is dedicated to advancing biotechnology research and innovation.

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Published

2025-05-13

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Reviews

How to Cite

Kumar, A. ., Rani, M. ., Islam, S. ., Kondinya, A., Kumari, A. ., Sinha, A. ., Rani, R. ., & Singh, S. K. . (2025). Harnessing the Power of Microbial Consortia: Formation, Mechanisms, and Applications for Sustainable Solutions. Contemporary Advances in Science and Technology, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.70130/CAST.2025.8106
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