Revealing the Functional Microbiota of Caproic Acid-Producing and Lactic Acid-Utilizing Bacteria in the Pit Muds for Chinese <i>Nong-Xiang Baijiu</i> Fermentation.

ABSTRACT: Low ethyl caproate and high ethyl lactate contents pose a significant challenge in producing Chinese nong-xiang baijiu. The formation of these esters depends on the metabolism of their precursors-caproic acid and lactic acid-within the pit mud (PM) microbiome. However, the specific taxa driving the metabolic flux from lactate accumulation to caproate synthesis remain unclear. This study aimed to identify potential functional microbes capable of caproate biosynthesis and lactate utilization by systematically analyzing PM samples from the upper, middle, and lower layers of three different pit ages (0, 20, and 50 years). Results showed that 50-year-old PM exhibited significantly higher caproic acid and ammonium nitrogen levels, but lower lactic acid content, compared to the 0- and 20-y

SUBMITTER: Feng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12896612 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature