The Metabolism of Leuconostoc Genus Decoded by Comparative Genomics

Leuconostoc encompasses a number of species that frequently appear in foods where they play different roles, ranging from ripening to spoiling. The number of available Leuconostoc genomes has recently increased and enabled the precise taxonomic and phylogenetic delineation of species. Nonetheless, a thorough investigation of the functions and the metabolic potential of Leuconostoc species has never been accomplished. In this study, all the currently available 553 Leuconostoc genomes were downloaded from NCBI GenBank and annotated utilizing specific tools in order to reconstruct the metabolic potential of the genus in terms of carbohydrate hydrolysis and fermentative pathways, transporters, and anabolic potential. The analysis revealed that species cluster based on their metabolic potential, showing unique adaptation and ecological roles. Pentose phosphate and phosphoketolase pathways were highlighted as the main ones of central metabolism. The various identified PTS and ABC transporters showed adaptability to different sugars. The metabolic diversity described in this study not only supports the role of Leuconostoc spp. in natural ecosystems but also highlights their potential in industrial applications, particularly in the fermentation industry where their ability to metabolize a wide range of substrates can be harnessed for the production of various fermented foods and bioproducts.