# Environmental Microbiome of Tyrophagus Putrescentiae Culture and Its Changes in Manipulative Experiments

## TL;DR

This study explores how the microbiome of mite cultures affects mite growth and food preferences when transferred to new diets.

## Contribution

The study reveals that SPGM significantly influences mite population growth and food choice, with Kocuria being particularly beneficial.

## Key findings

- Mite population growth and food preferences are influenced by SPGM diets.
- Kocuria, Brevibacterium, Virgibacillus, and Staphylococcus in SPGM correlate with mite growth.
- Microbiome composition depends more on SPGM source than mite culture.

## Abstract

Storage mites consume stored products in interaction with environmental microorganisms, resulting in the destruction of infested food and providing specific odours. Here we simulated the effect of mite grazing on oat flakes. Spent growth medium (SPGM) was obtained from seven mite cultures and mixed with oat flakes as the source of faeces and microbes. SPGM‐treated diets were offered to 4 mite cultures. The microbiomes were analysed using sequencing of V4_16S_DNA. Mite growth tests, food preferences, and microbiome changes were observed in correlation with SPGM type and mite cultures. The microbiome consisted of 41 OTUs belonging to mite‐associated bacteria and faeces bacteria. The composition of the microbiome depends more on the source of SPGM than on mite culture. The SPGM diet accelerated mite population growth and influenced mite food choice, although the effect was dependent on both types of SPGM and mite culture. Kocuria, Brevibacterium, Virgibacillus, and Staphylococcus profiles in SPGM added into diets showed positive correlations to mite population growth. The Kocuria profile in the bodies of mites was positively correlated with mite population growth. The results showed that mites are influenced by SPGM‐treated diets, and mite feeding influences the environmental microbiome. The most beneficial was the mite interaction with Kocuria.

Spent growth medium (SPGM) was obtained from seven mite cultures and mixed with oat flakes as the source of faeces and microbes. SPGM‐treated diets were provided to four mite cultures, resulting in accelerated mite population growth and altered mite food preferences.