Abundance-stratified microbial succession underlies functional stability in traditional solid-state fermentation

Abstract

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is the core process in baijiu brewing, but it is inherently exposed to spatial heterogeneity and recurrent disturbances that can destabilize microbial communities. Nevertheless, multi-round SSF often maintains stable functional outputs. In this study, we conducted a coordinated industrial fermentation study in which 17 distilleries operated designated pits under a unified seven-round Jiang-flavor Baijiu fermentation scheme. We examined whether functional stability is sustained through relay succession among abundance-stratified microbial ecotypes (abundant, moderate, and rare taxa, respectively). Integrated community profiling, physicochemical analysis, niche-width evaluation, functional prediction, and acid-tolerance assays revealed clear round-dependent differentiation. Early rounds (R1-R2) showed rapid acidification and dominance of abundant taxa enriched in secretion and primary-metabolism pathways. Mid rounds (R3-R5) coincided with starch content decline and organic-acid accumulation, during which moderate taxa exhibited broader niche coverage and enhanced transport and stress-related functions. Late rounds (R6-R7) showed substrate depletion and niche expansion of rare taxa enriched in environmental sensing and regulatory modules. Acid tolerance assays confirmed ecotype-specific adaptive strategies. Overall, these results establish an ecotype-relay mechanism underlying functional stability in multi-round SSF and support round-specific microbial management toward stable and high-quality industrial production.

Keywords: Acid tolerance; Baijiu; Ecotype relay; Niche width; Solid-state fermentation; Unified fermentation scheme.