Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress

Background: <i>Weissella confusa</i> is a member of the lactic acid bacterium group commonly found in many salt-fermented foods. Strains of <i>W. confusa</i> isolated from high-salinity environments have been shown to tolerate salt stress to some extent. However, the specific...

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Main Authors: Ali Wang, Qinqin Du, Xiaomin Li, Yimin Cui, Jiahua Luo, Cairong Li, Chong Peng, Xianfeng Zhong, Guidong Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Metabolites
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/12/695
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author Ali Wang
Qinqin Du
Xiaomin Li
Yimin Cui
Jiahua Luo
Cairong Li
Chong Peng
Xianfeng Zhong
Guidong Huang
author_facet Ali Wang
Qinqin Du
Xiaomin Li
Yimin Cui
Jiahua Luo
Cairong Li
Chong Peng
Xianfeng Zhong
Guidong Huang
author_sort Ali Wang
collection DOAJ
description Background: <i>Weissella confusa</i> is a member of the lactic acid bacterium group commonly found in many salt-fermented foods. Strains of <i>W. confusa</i> isolated from high-salinity environments have been shown to tolerate salt stress to some extent. However, the specific responses and mechanisms of <i>W. confusa</i> under salt stress are not fully understood. Methods: To study the effect of NaCl stress on <i>W. confusa</i>, growth performance and metabolite profiles of the strains were compared between a NaCl-free group and a 35% NaCl-treated group. Growth performance was assessed by measuring viable cell counts and examining the cells using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Intracellular and extracellular metabolites were analyzed by non-targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: It was found that the viable cell count of <i>W. confusa</i> decreased with increasing salinity, and cells could survive even in saturated saline (35%) medium for 24 h. When exposed to 35% NaCl, <i>W. confusa</i> cells exhibited surface pores and protein leakage. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, 42 different metabolites were identified in the cells and 18 different metabolites in the culture medium. These different metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. In addition, salt-exposed cells exhibited higher levels of intracellular ectoine and lactose, whose precursors, such as aspartate, L-2,4-diaminobutanoate, and galactinol, were reduced in the culture medium. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the metabolic responses of <i>W. confusa</i> under salt stress, revealing its ability to maintain viability and alter metabolism in response to high NaCl concentrations. Key metabolites such as ectoine and lactose, as well as changes in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, may contribute to its tolerance to salt. These findings may improve our understanding of the bacterium’s survival mechanisms and have potential applications in food fermentation and biotechnology.
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spelling doaj-art-b00dfb3ae45941249438abb6a2b73d4d2025-08-20T02:00:35ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892024-12-01141269510.3390/metabo14120695Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt StressAli Wang0Qinqin Du1Xiaomin Li2Yimin Cui3Jiahua Luo4Cairong Li5Chong Peng6Xianfeng Zhong7Guidong Huang8School of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaSchool of Food Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, ChinaBackground: <i>Weissella confusa</i> is a member of the lactic acid bacterium group commonly found in many salt-fermented foods. Strains of <i>W. confusa</i> isolated from high-salinity environments have been shown to tolerate salt stress to some extent. However, the specific responses and mechanisms of <i>W. confusa</i> under salt stress are not fully understood. Methods: To study the effect of NaCl stress on <i>W. confusa</i>, growth performance and metabolite profiles of the strains were compared between a NaCl-free group and a 35% NaCl-treated group. Growth performance was assessed by measuring viable cell counts and examining the cells using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Intracellular and extracellular metabolites were analyzed by non-targeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: It was found that the viable cell count of <i>W. confusa</i> decreased with increasing salinity, and cells could survive even in saturated saline (35%) medium for 24 h. When exposed to 35% NaCl, <i>W. confusa</i> cells exhibited surface pores and protein leakage. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, 42 different metabolites were identified in the cells and 18 different metabolites in the culture medium. These different metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. In addition, salt-exposed cells exhibited higher levels of intracellular ectoine and lactose, whose precursors, such as aspartate, L-2,4-diaminobutanoate, and galactinol, were reduced in the culture medium. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the metabolic responses of <i>W. confusa</i> under salt stress, revealing its ability to maintain viability and alter metabolism in response to high NaCl concentrations. Key metabolites such as ectoine and lactose, as well as changes in amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, may contribute to its tolerance to salt. These findings may improve our understanding of the bacterium’s survival mechanisms and have potential applications in food fermentation and biotechnology.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/12/695<i>Weissella confusa</i>salt stressintracellular metabolitesextracellular metabolitesstress response
spellingShingle Ali Wang
Qinqin Du
Xiaomin Li
Yimin Cui
Jiahua Luo
Cairong Li
Chong Peng
Xianfeng Zhong
Guidong Huang
Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
Metabolites
<i>Weissella confusa</i>
salt stress
intracellular metabolites
extracellular metabolites
stress response
title Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
title_full Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
title_fullStr Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
title_full_unstemmed Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
title_short Intracellular and Extracellular Metabolic Response of the Lactic Acid Bacterium <i>Weissella confusa</i> Under Salt Stress
title_sort intracellular and extracellular metabolic response of the lactic acid bacterium i weissella confusa i under salt stress
topic <i>Weissella confusa</i>
salt stress
intracellular metabolites
extracellular metabolites
stress response
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/12/695
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