Deciphering the core microbiota in open environment solid‐state fermentation of Beijing rice vinegar and its correlation with environmental factors

BACKGROUND: Rice vinegar is a popular cereal vinegar worldwide and is typically produced in an open environment, and the ecosystem of solid-state fermentation is complicated and robust. The present study aimed to reveal the shaping force of the establishment of the ecosystem of Beijing rice vinegar, the core function microbiota and their correlation with critical environmental factors. [Correction added after first online publication on 29 May 2024; the word "worldwide" has been removed from the first sentence under the section Background.] RESULTS: The experimental findings revealed the changes in environmental factors, major metabolites and microbial patterns during Beijing rice vinegar fermentation were obtained. The major metabolites accumulated at the middle and late acetic acid fermentation (AAF) periods. Principal coordinates and t-test analyses revealed the specific bacterial and fungal species at corresponding stages. Kosakonia, Methlobacterium, Sphingomonas, unidentified Rhizobiaceae, Pseudozyma and Saccharomycopsis dorminated during saccharification and alcohol fermentation and early AAF, whereas Lactococcus, Acetobacter, Rhodotorula and Kazachstania dominated the later AAF stages. Canonical correspondence analysis of environmental factors with core microbiota. Temperature and total acid were the most significant factors correlated with the SAF bacterial profile (Pediococcus, Weissella, Enterococcus and Kosakonia). Ethanol was the most significant factor between AAF1 and AAF3, and mainly affected Acetobacter and Lactobacillus. Conversely, ethanol was the most significant factor in the SAF, AAF1 and AAF3 fungi communities; typical microorganisms were Saccharomyces and Malassezia. Furthermore, the predicted phenotypes of bacteria and their response to environmental factors were evaluated. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present study has provided insights into the process regulation of spontaneous fermentation and distinguished the key driving forces in the microbiota of Beijing rice vinegar fermentation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.