Rowanberry, rosehip, and lingonberry inhabiting bacteria and fungi

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), rowanberries (Sorbus aucuparia L.), and rosehips (Rosa canina L.) render a positive effect on human health due to their healing properties, determined by a high content of bioactive compounds. The consumption of unprocessed wild berries is relevant and encouraged; therefore, in-depth characterization of microbiological status is essential for food safety. The present study is the first high-throughput metagenomic analysis of bacterial and fungal communities distributed on the surface of lingonberries, rowanberries, and rosehips. According to the analysis of representative microbial ASV alpha and beta diversity, significant plant-defined differences in the taxonomic composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiota were observed. The bacterial community on rosehips was shown to be prevalent by Enterobacteriaceae, lingonberries - by Methylobacteriaceae, and rowanberries - by Sphingomonadaceae representatives. Among fungal microbiota, Dothioraceae dominated on rosehips, and Exobasidiaceae on lingonberries; meanwhile, rowanberries were inhabited by a similar level of a broad spectrum of fungal families. Based on cultivable yeast profiling, lingonberries were distinguished by the lowest amount and significantly different than other tested berries yeast populations. Among the microorganisms, inhabiting tested berries, potentially pathogenic to humans or plants, also beneficial and relevant for biocontrol microorganisms were identified. The application of metagenomics in combination with cultivation-based approach allowed us to highlight for the first time microbial communities, associated with selected wild berries, and establish the potential roles of their compounds in plant health, as well as contribute to uncovering their relevance for food safety and human health.