AUTHOR=Zhang Liheng , Li Xianghui , Song Xinghui , Bian Chuanzhou , Kang Xiangtao , Zhao Junqiang , Qiao Hongxing , Gong Yanzhang 

TITLE=Assessment of the Endophytic Fungal Composition of Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecalis-Fermented Astragalus membranaceus Using Single-Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing Technology

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.880152

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.880152

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Endophytic fungus represents microorganisms existing within the healthy plant organs, which can significantly influence metabolic product production in plants, a process with great research value and broad prospects for development. To investigate the effect of fermentation with probiotic cultures on the endophytic fungal diversity and composition of <italic>Astragalus membranaceus</italic>, we used single-molecular, real-time sequencing (Pacific Biosciences) for 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing. The results showed that the endophytic fungi of <italic>A. membranaceus</italic> mainly belonged to <italic>Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cystofilobasidium, Candida, Guehomyces</italic>, and <italic>Wallemia</italic>. Furthermore, the endophytic fungal diversity and abundance of <italic>A. membranaceus</italic> were more variable after fermentation with <italic>Enterococcus faecium and/or Lactobacillus plantarum</italic>. Our data lays a solid and comprehensive foundation for further exploration of endophytic fungi from <italic>A. membranaceus</italic> as potential sources of functional compounds.</p>