Assembly and network of <i>Rhei Radix</i> et <i>Rhizoma</i> surface microbiome shaped by processing methods and sampling locations.

Guangfei WEI; Xiao CHEN; Guozhuang ZHANG; Conglian LIANG; Zhaoyu ZHANG; Bo ZHANG; Shilin CHEN; Linlin DONG

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Assembly and network of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma surface microbiome shaped by processing methods and sampling locations.

Author: Guangfei WEI ¹ ; Xiao CHEN ² ; Guozhuang ZHANG ¹ ; Conglian LIANG ³ ; Zhaoyu ZHANG ¹ ; Bo ZHANG ⁴ ; Shilin CHEN ¹ ; Linlin DONG ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
2. School of Biomedicine, Beijing City University, Beijing 100094, China.
3. Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
4. School of Pharmacy, Linyi University, Linyi 276000, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma; community assembly; fungi; processing methods; sampling locations
From: Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):189-199
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Rhei Radix et Rhizoma has five types of products, namely, raw rhubarb (RR), wine rhubarb (WR), vinegar rhubarb (VR), cooked rhubarb (CR), and rhubarb charcoal (RC). However, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is easily contaminated with fungi and mycotoxins if not harvested or processed properly. Here, we intend to analyze how microbiome assemblies and co-occurrence patterns are influenced by sampling locations and processing methods.
METHODS:High-throughput sequencing and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were carried out to study the diversities (α- and β-diversity), composition (dominant taxa and potential biomarkers), and network complexitity of surface fungi on RR, WR, VR, CR, and RC collected from Gansu and Sichuan provinces, China.
RESULTS:The phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota; the genera Kazachstania, Malassezia, and Asterotremella; and the species Kazachstania exigua, Asterotremella pseudolonga, and Malassezia restricta were the dominant fungi and exhibited differences in the two provinces and the five processed products. The α-diversity and network complexity were strongly dependent on processing methods. Chao 1, the Shannon index, and network complexity and connectivity were highest in the CR group. The α-diversity and network complexity were influenced by sampling locations. Chao 1 and network complexity and connectivity were highest in the Gansu Province.
CONCLUSION:The assembly and network of the surface microbiome on Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were shaped by processing methods and sampling locations. This paper offers a comprehensive understanding of microorganisms, which can provide early warning for potential mycotoxins and ensure the safety of drugs and consumers.