Leuconostoc suionicum strain JNUCC 76 (=CH10) was isolated from cherry blossom flowers (Prunus yedoensis) collected on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, representing a flower-associated strain of L. suionicum. To clarify its taxonomic position and genomic characteristics, whole-genome sequencing was performed using a hybrid PacBio–Illumina approach. The complete genome was assembled into a single circular chromosome of 2.20 Mb with a GC content of 36.8% and high sequencing depth, indicating a high-quality, closed genome assembly. Genome annotation revealed a compact gene repertoire dominated by functions related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism, amino acid utilization, and core cellular processes, consistent with adaptation to plant-derived, sugar-rich environments. Genome-based phylogenomic analyses using average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH), and Genome BLAST Distance Phylogeny (GBDP) placed strain JNUCC 76 within the species L. suionicum. Genome-based metrics clearly exceeded the accepted species thresholds, supporting the assignment of the strain to L. suionicum. Secondary metabolite gene cluster analysis identified a limited number of low-complexity and precursor-oriented biosynthetic gene clusters, including RiPP-like, type III polyketide synthase, and terpene-precursor clusters, suggesting that the ecological fitness of the strain relies primarily on primary metabolism rather than extensive secondary metabolite production. Overall, this study expands current knowledge of flower-associated Leuconostoc lineages and provides a high-quality genomic framework for future comparative and functional studies. The genomic features of strain JNUCC 76 highlight floral environments as underexplored reservoirs of lactic acid bacteria diversity and support further evaluation of flower-derived Leuconostoc strains as potential postbiotic or fermentation-based resources for cosmetic and related biotechnological applications.
Hyun et al. (Thu,) studied this question.