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Microbial Communities in Agave Fermentations Vary by Local Biogeographic Regions
Angélica Jara-Servin1, Luis D Alcaraz1, Sabino I Juarez-Serrano2
1Laboratorio de Genómica Ambiental, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Environmental Microbiology Reports
|January 26, 2025
Summary
Researchers analyzed the microbiome of traditional Mexican agave spirits fermentation. Distillery practices significantly shape these microbial communities, revealing a core microbiome essential for spirit production and conservation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Fermentation Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Traditional agave spirits production in Mexico, like mezcal, relies on environmental microorganisms for fermenting cooked agave must.
- Understanding these microbial communities is crucial for studying the interplay between natural and human-associated environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze the microbiome of agave fermentations across various Mexican distilleries.
- To identify core microbial taxa and understand factors influencing community composition, including production methods and environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing were performed on samples from 99 fermentation tanks across 42 distilleries in Mexico.
- Data analysis focused on identifying microbial taxa and correlating their presence with production variables, climate, and geography.
Main Results:
- A core group of microbial taxa was consistently found across most fermentations, indicating a shared microbiome.
- The distillery (production practices and site attributes) was the primary factor influencing both bacterial and fungal community composition.
- Fermentation stage, climate, and region also impacted prokaryotic community structure, with specific taxa enriched during certain stages or with particular agave species.
Conclusions:
- Distillery-specific practices are the dominant driver of agave fermentation microbiomes.
- This research provides critical insights into the management and conservation of these unique microbial ecosystems and the traditional spirits they produce.
