Microbial dynamics, metabolomic profiles, and the correlation between them during fermentation of serofluid dish

J Sci Food Agric. 2020 Dec;100(15):5627-5636. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10690. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Abstract

Background: Serofluid dish, a traditional Chinese fermented food, possesses unique flavors and health beneficial effects. These properties are likely due to the sophisticated metabolic networks during fermentation, which are mainly driven by microbiota. However, the exact roles of metabolic pathways and the microbial community during this process remain equivocal.

Results: Here, we investigated the microbial dynamics by next-generation sequencing, and outlined a differential non-targeted metabolite profiling in the process of serofluid dish fermentation using the method of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lactobacillus was the leading genus of bacteria, while Pichia and Issatchenkia were the dominant fungi. They all accumulated during fermentation. In total, 218 differential metabolites were identified, of which organic acids, amino acids, sugar and sugar alcohols, fatty acids, and esters comprised the majority. The constructed metabolic network showed that tricarboxylic acid cycle, urea cycle, sugar metabolism, amino acids metabolism, choline metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism were regulated by the fermentation. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that the leading fungi, Pichia and Issatchenkia, were linked to organic acids, amino acid and sugar metabolism, flavonoids, and several other flavor and functional components. Antibacterial tests indicated the antibacterial effect of serofluid soup against Salmonella and Staphylococcus.

Conclusion: This work provides new insights into the complex microbial and metabolic networks during serofluid dish fermentation, and a theoretical basis for the optimization of its industrial production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: correlation analysis; metabolite changes; metabolite network; microbial dynamics; serofluid dish.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Fermentation
  • Fermented Foods / analysis*
  • Fermented Foods / microbiology*
  • Fungi / classification
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Fungi / isolation & purification*
  • Fungi / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Metabolomics
  • Microbiota*
  • Taste
  • Vegetables / chemistry
  • Vegetables / metabolism
  • Vegetables / microbiology

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Fatty Acids