{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T06:14:58Z","timestamp":1788243298670,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788220800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Microbiol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Biochar is a carbon-rich, porous material produced through controlled pyrolysis and widely applied in environmental and agricultural systems. It is increasingly used as a carrier material for microbial bioinoculant formulations and to stabilize anaerobic digestion processes by supporting microbial growth, colonization, and immobilization. However, the use of unsterilized biochar to reduce time, labor, and cost can lead to interference from native microbiota, potentially suppressing desired microbial strains and reducing process efficiency. Therefore, evaluating native microbial populations, growth-supporting ability, and immobilization potential is essential prior to its application.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Six biochar samples obtained from the UK Biochar Research Center (UKBRC) were analyzed. Native and recoverable culturable microbial loads were enumerated for each biochar type. Growth-promoting potential was assessed using\n                      <jats:italic>E. coli<\/jats:italic>\n                      as a model organism. Additionally, microbial immobilization capacity was evaluated using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to further validate immobilization characteristics.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Distinct variations in native microbial loads were observed among the biochar samples, even under similar storage conditions. None of the biochars served as a carbon or energy source for\n                      <jats:italic>E. coli<\/jats:italic>\n                      ATCC 25922, but some delayed bacterial cell death, depending on the biochar type, indicating a possible viability preserving effect that warrants further investigation in formulated bioinoculant systems. Immobilization capacity varied significantly across biochars and was influenced by both the biomass source and pyrolysis temperature. All biochars showed statistically significant values (\n                      <jats:italic>P<\/jats:italic>\n                      &amp;lt; 0.05) for the immobilization of both the studied strains. SEM analysis confirmed differences in microbial attachment and surface characteristics.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study concludes that biochar potential to support growth and immobilization may vary according to production parameters and the type of biomass. Compatibility between biochar and microbial strains must be carefully evaluated before its use in bioinoculant formulations or other applications to ensure optimal performance and stability.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1869658","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T05:34:21Z","timestamp":1788240861000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Microbial load, carbon utilization potential, and immobilization efficiency vary across biochar types: implications for bioinoculant formulation"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Rashmi S.","family":"Dhanwar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Symbiosis Center for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adarsh K.","family":"Singh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Symbiosis Center for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Munira","family":"Alateeqi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds","place":["Leeds, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rupali S.","family":"Thakur","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Symbiosis Center for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sanyogita","family":"Berde","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Agharkar Research Institute","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gaurav A.","family":"Nahar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Defiant Renewables Pvt Ltd","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tushar D.","family":"Lodha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Agharkar Research Institute","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew B.","family":"Ross","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds","place":["Leeds, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ashvini","family":"Chauhan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Environmental Biotechnology School of the Environment, Florida A&M University","place":["Tallahassee, FL, United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Om","family":"Prakash","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Symbiosis Center for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)","place":["Pune, India"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1595208","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2025.1595208","article-title":"The role of biochar in enhancing soil health & interactions with rhizosphere properties and enzyme activities in organic fertilizer substitution.","volume":"16","author":"Ali","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Plant Sci."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1007\/s42773-019-00028-z","article-title":"Physicochemical properties and morphology of biochars as affected by feedstock sources and pyrolysis temperatures.","volume":"1","author":"Antonangelo","year":"2019","journal-title":"Biochar"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"163968","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2023.163968","article-title":"The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications.","volume":"886","author":"Bolan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114403","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvman.2021.114403","article-title":"Biochar increases soil carbon pools: Evidence from a global meta-analysis.","volume":"305","author":"Chagas","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Environ. Manage."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"113241","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ecoenv.2022.113241","article-title":"Biochar mitigation of soil acidification and carbon sequestration is influenced by materials and temperature.","volume":"232","author":"Geng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3244","DOI":"10.1128\/AEM.03069-09","article-title":"Denitrifying bacteria isolated from terrestrial subsurface sediments exposed to mixed-waste contamination.","volume":"76","author":"Green","year":"2010","journal-title":"Appl. Environ. Microbiol."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.3390\/agriculture14010037","article-title":"The importance of the targeted design of biochar physicochemical properties in microbial inoculation for improved agricultural productivity\u2014A review.","volume":"14","author":"Gryta","year":"2023","journal-title":"Agriculture"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"421","DOI":"10.1007\/s42773-020-00067-x","article-title":"Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type influence biochar characteristics: A comprehensive meta-data analysis review.","volume":"2","author":"Ippolito","year":"2020","journal-title":"Biochar"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1731","DOI":"10.1111\/gcbb.12885","article-title":"How biochar works, and when it doesn\u2019t: A review of mechanisms controlling soil and plant responses to biochar.","volume":"13","author":"Joseph","year":"2021","journal-title":"GCB Bioenergy"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2470","DOI":"10.22207\/JPAM.19.4.25","article-title":"Formulation breakthroughs: The key to tackling biofertilizer shelf life and quality challenges.","volume":"19","author":"Kanishka","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Pure Appl. Microbiol."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"166","DOI":"10.3390\/plants13020166","article-title":"Biochar production and characteristics, its impacts on soil health, crop production, and yield enhancement: A review.","volume":"13","author":"Khan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Plants"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.17676\/HAE.2025.44.57","article-title":"Biochar-based carriers for microbial inoculants in sustainable agriculture: A study on surface properties, microbial viability and persistence.","volume":"44","author":"K\u00f6ves","year":"2025","journal-title":"Hung. Agric. Eng."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.1186\/s40793-024-00631-z","article-title":"Biochar-induced changes in soil microbial communities: A comparison of two feedstocks and pyrolysis temperatures.","volume":"19","author":"Kracmarova-Farren","year":"2024","journal-title":"Environ. Microbiome"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1294791","DOI":"10.3389\/fenvs.2023.1294791","article-title":"Study on the biodegradation of phenol by Alcaligenes faecalis JH1 immobilized in rice husk biochar.","volume":"11","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Environ. Sci."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155563","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2022.155563","article-title":"Application of biochar immobilized microorganisms for pollutants removal from wastewater: A review.","volume":"837","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105845","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsoil.2024.105845","article-title":"Unraveling the role of pyrolysis temperature in biochar-mediated modulation of soil microbial communities and tobacco bacterial wilt disease.","volume":"206","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"Appl. Soil Ecol."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10269","DOI":"10.1080\/21655979.2021.1993536","article-title":"Bioengineered biochar as smart candidate for resource recovery toward circular bio-economy: A review.","volume":"12","author":"Liu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Bioengineered"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"611","DOI":"10.1002\/ese3.70350","article-title":"Biochar at the core of nature-based carbon management: A comparative review bridging environmental sustainability and economic feasibility.","volume":"14","author":"Mirzaei","year":"2026","journal-title":"Energy Sci. Eng."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1007\/s42773-019-00009-2","article-title":"Response of microbial communities to biochar-amended soils: A critical review.","volume":"1","author":"Palansooriya","year":"2019","journal-title":"Biochar"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.1139\/cjr48e-020","article-title":"\u201cDrop plate\u201d method of counting viable bacteria","volume":"26","author":"Reed","year":"1948","journal-title":"Can. J. Res."},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"127534","DOI":"10.1016\/j.micres.2023.127534","article-title":"Techniques and mechanisms of bacteria immobilization on biochar for further environmental and agricultural applications.","volume":"278","author":"Schommer","year":"2024","journal-title":"Microbiol. Res."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"681","DOI":"10.1007\/s00374-024-01805-0","article-title":"Pyrolysis temperature affects biochar suitability as an alternative rhizobial carrier.","volume":"60","author":"Shabir","year":"2024","journal-title":"Biol. Fertil. Soils"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1748","DOI":"10.3390\/su17041748","article-title":"Biochar-induced microbial shifts: Advancing soil sustainability.","volume":"17","author":"Sharma","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14626","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-018-1674-2","article-title":"Comparison of nickel adsorption on biochars produced from mixed softwood and Miscanthus straw.","volume":"25","author":"Shen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1007\/s44378-025-00041-8","article-title":"Biochar as a Soil amendment: Implications for soil health, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience.","volume":"2","author":"Shyam","year":"2025","journal-title":"Discov. Soil"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"630","DOI":"10.3389\/fbioe.2020.00630","article-title":"Adaptation and survival of burkholderia cepacia and B. contaminans during long-term incubation in saline solutions containing benzalkonium chloride.","volume":"8","author":"Tavares","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105576","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envint.2020.105576","article-title":"Biochar and bacteria inoculated biochar enhanced Cd and Cu immobilization and enzymatic activity in a polluted soil.","volume":"137","author":"Tu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Environ. Int."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5424","DOI":"10.3390\/su16135424","article-title":"Effects of pyrolysis temperature on biochar physicochemical and microbial properties for H2S removal from biogas.","volume":"16","author":"Vai\u0161k\u00fbnait\u00eb","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1007\/s42773-025-00444-4","article-title":"Insights into the interfacial dynamics and interaction mechanisms between phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and straw-derived biochar.","volume":"7","author":"Wang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Biochar"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e001","DOI":"10.48130\/ebp-0025-0019","article-title":"Selective application of biochars to realize biochar\u2013microbe synergistic immobilization of soil cadmium","volume":"2","author":"Xiong","year":"2026","journal-title":"Environ. Biogeochem. Process"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.1111\/gcbb.12773","article-title":"Functional response of the soil microbial community to biochar applications.","volume":"13","author":"Xu","year":"2021","journal-title":"GCB Bioenergy"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"128226","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biortech.2022.128226","article-title":"Effects of biochar on anaerobic treatment systems: Some perspectives.","volume":"367","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Bioresour. Technol."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"118006","DOI":"10.1016\/j.watres.2021.118006","article-title":"Improved removal performance of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in sand filtration system with arginine modified biochar amendment.","volume":"211","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Water Res."},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1001","DOI":"10.3390\/su16031001","article-title":"Biochar application reduces saline\u2013alkali stress by improving soil functions and regulating the diversity and abundance of soil bacterial community in highly saline\u2013alkali paddy field.","volume":"16","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115494","DOI":"10.1016\/j.watres.2020.115494","article-title":"Biochar as simultaneous shelter, adsorbent, pH buffer, and substrate of Pseudomonas citronellolis to promote biodegradation of high concentrations of phenol in wastewater.","volume":"172","author":"Zhao","year":"2020","journal-title":"Water Res."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"129929","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biortech.2023.129929","article-title":"A review of microbial responses to biochar addition in anaerobic digestion system: Community, cellular and genetic level findings.","volume":"391","author":"Zhao","year":"2024","journal-title":"Bioresour. Technol."},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2017.04.032","article-title":"Effects and mechanisms of biochar-microbe interactions in soil improvement and pollution remediation: A review.","volume":"227","author":"Zhu","year":"2017","journal-title":"Environ. Pollut."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Microbiology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1869658\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T05:34:22Z","timestamp":1788240862000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1869658\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"references-count":37,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1869658"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmicb.2026.1869658","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-302X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-302X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]]},"article-number":"1869658"}}