Integrated multi-omics reveals microbial and metabolic mechanisms driving enhanced fermentation quality in cigar tobacco leaves with exogenous additives - Research Open Access

Sep 29, 2026

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Natural exogenous additives (EA) are needed to enhance fermentation quality and economic value of low-grade cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs). This study evaluated how three compound Chinese herbal medicine additives affect metabolites and microorganisms during CTLs fermentation. EA promoted degradation of total sugar, starch and protein while increasing reducing sugar and free amino acids, shaping key differential amino acids and volatile flavor components. It also improved nicotine degradation, strengthened microbial interactions, and produced coordinated symbiotic networks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background and problem statement

Current approaches to CTLs fermentation

Role of exogenous additives and prior studies

Han et al. Bioresources and Bioprocessing (2026) 13:2 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00998-y](https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-025-00998-y) Bioresources and Bioprocessing RESEARCH Open Access Integrated multi-omics reveals microbial and metabolic mechanisms driving enhanced fermentation quality in cigar tobacco leaves with exogenous additives Ping Han 1, Dongfeng Guo2*, Mingzhu Zhang 1, Xuefeng Wu 1, Dongdong Mu 1, Yaqi Shi 1,2, Rui Zhao 1,2, Tianfei Zheng 1,2 and Xingjiang Li 1* Abstract Natural exogenous additives (EA) suitable for the tobacco fermentation need to be developed to enhance the fermentation quality and economic value of low-grade cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) . This study analyzed the impacts of three compound Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on metabolites and microorganisms during CTLs fermentation. The results manifested that EA facilitated the degradation of total sugar, starch and protein, while enhancing the accumulation of reducing sugar in CTLs. Furthermore, EA raised contents of free amino acids (FAAs), while Asp, Glu, Ser and His were found to be key differential FAAs of CTLs. During fermentation, the total contents of volatile flavor components (VFCs) initially increased and then declined. Furthermore, EA contributed to more harmonious compositions of VFCs by promoting the formation of neophytadiene, ketones, esters and aldehydes, as well as facilitating nicotine degradation. According to variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1 and odor activity value (OAV) > 1, 7 key differential VFCs were identified. EA enhanced positive microbial interactions and led to amore stable and coordinated symbiotic network. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) identified 9 genera as differential ly dominant microorganisms in CTLs, which were closely associated with chemical compositions and key differential flavor metabolites. In addition, EA promoted cigar tobacco characteristics (CTCs) by altering bacterial alpha diversity and influencing the assembly of dominant microbial communities. Overall, this study offered theoretical insights into the innovative applications of CHM in CTLs fermentation, and presented new perspectives for enhancing CTLs quality and customizing flavor profiles. Keywords Cigar tobacco leaves, Exogenous additives, Metabolic compounds, Microbial community, Flora structure *Correspondence: Dongfeng Guo[gdf0221@163.com](gdf0221@163.com)[ ](gdf0221@163.com)Xingjiang Li[lixingjiang@hfut.edu.cn](lixingjiang@hfut.edu.cn) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommons.org/l](http://creativecommons.org/l)icenses/by/4.0/. Han et al. Bioresources and Bioprocessing (2026) 13:2 Page 2 of 19 Graphical abstract Introduction Cigars command global attention due to being handmade, possessing distinct aromas, and offering deep flavor profiles (Yang et al. 2022). However, lower-grade cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) are usually bedeviled by imperfections such as nutrient deficiency and poor blending, which devalue them industrially, result in significant material waste, and hamper the development of cigars. In indus

FAQs

What problem does the study address in low-grade cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs)?

Low-grade CTLs suffer from nutrient deficiency and poor blending, which reduce industrial value and limit cigar development. Fermentation is used to improve physicochemical and organoleptic properties, but more effective additives are needed.

How do exogenous additives (EA) affect metabolites during fermentation?

EA facilitates degradation of total sugar, starch, and protein while enhancing accumulation of reducing sugar. It also increases free amino acids, identifying Asp, Glu, Ser, and His as key differential free amino acids.

How does EA influence microbial communities and flavor-related outcomes?

EA enhances positive microbial interactions, leading to a more stable and coordinated symbiotic network. It alters bacterial alpha diversity, identifies differential dominant genera via LEfSe, and improves volatile flavor component composition and nicotine degradation.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Levi