biostudies-literatureShi MHigh-Level Talent Start-Up Project of Yibin UniversityOpen Project of the Sichuan Key Laboratory of Solid-State Fermentation Resource Utilization8https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12835487biostudies-literatureUnknown13(1)Daqu is a critical saccharifying and fermenting agent in the traditional solid-state production of strong-aroma Baijiu, with its physicochemical properties and microbial communities playing a vital role in both starter quality and final aroma. This study analyzed twelve Daqu samples from four key production regions in Sichuan Province-Luzhou (L), Suining (S), Yibin (Y), and Zigong (Z)-assessing physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, acidity, saccharification, liquefaction, and esterification activities. Microbial communities were characterized using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Regional variations in physicochemical properties were observed, with Y showing the highest acidity, saccharification, and esterification activities. While no significant regional differences iBioresources and bioprocessingComparative analysis of microbial communities and physicochemical attributes of strong-aroma Daqu from Southwestern China.PMC128354872023GTZD072023QH232024GTYY06Li YShi MWang TSun DGuo AYin LfalseComparative analysis of microbial communities and physicochemical attributes of strong-aroma Daqu from Southwestern China.Daqu is a critical saccharifying and fermenting agent in the traditional solid-state production of strong-aroma Baijiu, with its physicochemical properties and microbial communities playing a vital role in both starter quality and final aroma. This study analyzed twelve Daqu samples from four key production regions in Sichuan Province-Luzhou (L), Suining (S), Yibin (Y), and Zigong (Z)-assessing physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, acidity, saccharification, liquefaction, and esterification activities. Microbial communities were characterized using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Regional variations in physicochemical properties were observed, with Y showing the highest acidity, saccharification, and esterification activities. While no significant regional differences i2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-15T04:49:07.018Z2026-06-15T03:08:56.742ZS-EPMC128354874158826710.1186/s40643-025-00997-z