Taxonomic and functional analysis of Costa Rican cocoa bean fermentation ecosystems through shotgun metagenomic and metatranscriptomics sequencing.. cocoa bean fermentation metagenomics and metatranscriptomics

Cocoa bean fermentation is a necessary step in the production of all cocoa goods. The cocoa beans are surrounded by a pulp. During the fermentation process, the pulp is removed, enabling drying, and colour and flavour precursors are formed.In the present study, the taxonomic composition of the cocoa bean fermentation microbiota was analysed in three cocoa bean fermentation processes at time points throughout the fermentation. In one of the fermentations, gene transcription of the cocoa bean fermentation microbiota was analysed in three representative time points.