The Intestinal Microbiota Involves in the Deterioration of Live Sea Cucumber During Storage

This study was designed to explore the relationship between the deterioration of sea cucumbers and intestinal flora’s diversity change during preservation using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We show that the body wall of sea cucumber develops white spots on day 4, and the epidermis dissolves on day 7. The distinctive OTUs remain relatively low during four days of storage but increase on day 7. The potential gut microbiota biomarkers are <i>Psychrobacter-cibarius</i>, <i>Ralstonia-pickettii</i>, and Clostridiales during the deterioration of sea cucumber. The result of mixed storage of fresh and deteriorated sea cucumbers validates the influence of microbiota on healthy sea cucumbers.