Kefir metagenome of Taxkorgan County
This study aimed to characterize the metagenomic profile of microbial communities in Tashkurgan milk kefir under benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) stress, identify core tolerant microbes, and predict BaP degradation pathways for food safety applications. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the bacterial community was dominated by Bacillota (especially Lactobacillus helveticus), with increased abundance of Bacillus and Pseudomonas under BaP stress; fungi were dominated by Ascomycota and Pichia kudriavzevii, whose levels rose with BaP exposure. BaP stress altered community structure, raised microbial diversity, and enhanced amino acid metabolism and translation. These findings clarify the compositional and functional shifts of Tashkurgan kefir microbiota under BaP stress and support its use in biodegrading foodborne BaP to ensure food safety.