Multi-omics reveals the phyllosphere microbial community and material transformations in cigars

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Metabolomics
• Fermentation Science

Background:

• Leaf fermentation quality depends on microbial communities and their metabolic functions.
• Understanding microbial-metabolite interactions is key to optimizing fermentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between phyllosphere microbial structure and key metabolites during cigar leaf fermentation.
• To identify critical microbial players and fermentation stages influencing product quality.

Main Methods:

• Multi-omics analysis integrating microbial community structure and metabolite profiling.
• Characterization of fermentation stages and microbial roles.

Main Results:

• Cigar leaf fermentation occurs in three stages, with the Mid-Stage showing peak microbial metabolic activity.
• Specific genera including Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, and Stenotrophomonas were identified as key players, correlating with lipids, amino acids, and terpenes.
• Distinct fungal genera (Wapper) showed faster fermentation than others (Filler).

Conclusions:

• The Mid-Stage of fermentation is critical for microbial activity and metabolite production.
• Microbial composition significantly impacts fermentation dynamics and product quality.
• Tailoring fermentation processes based on leaf genotype and microbial profiles is essential for consistent quality.