Population Genomics of Aspergillus sojae is Shaped by the Food Environment

Traditional fermented foods often contain specialized microorganisms adapted to their unique environments. For example, the filamentous mold Aspergillus oryzae, used in saké fermentation, has evolved to thrive in starch-rich conditions compared to its wild ancestor, Aspergillus flavus. Similarly, Aspergillus sojae, used in soybean-based fermentations like miso and shochu, is hypothesized to have been domesticated from Aspergillus parasiticus. Here, we examined the effects of long-term A. sojae use in soybean fermentation on population structure, genome variation, and phenotypic traits. We analyzed 17 A. sojae and 24 A. parasiticus genomes (23 of which were sequenced for this study), alongside phenotypic traits of 9 isolates. Aspergillus sojae formed a distinct, low-diversity population, suggesting a recent clonal expansion. Interestingly, a population of A. parasiticus was more closely related to A. sojae than other A. parasiticus populations. Genome comparisons revealed loss-of-function mutations in A. sojae, notably in biosynthetic gene clusters encoding secondary metabolites, including the aflatoxin cluster. Interestingly though, A. sojae harbored a partial duplication of a siderophore biosynthetic cluster. Phenotypic assays showed A. sojae lacked aflatoxin production, while it was variable in A. parasiticus isolates. Additionally, certain A. sojae strains exhibited larger colony diameters under miso-like salt conditions. These findings support the hypothesis that A. parasiticus is the progenitor of A. sojae and that domestication significantly reduced genetic diversity. Future research should explore how wild and food-associated strains influence sensory attributes and microbial community dynamics in fermented soy products.