Analysis of Endophytic Bacteria and Quantification of the Magnolin Lignan in Flower Buds of Magnolia biondii, Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora from the Shanghai Region

This study explored the relationship between endophytic bacterial communities and the accumulation of the bioactive lignan, magnolin, in the flower buds of three important species: Magnolia biondii, Magnolia denudata, and Magnolia liliiflora. We employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the diversity and composition of endophytic bacteria and used high-performance liquid chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to quantify magnolin content. Our results revealed significant differences in bacterial diversity and community structure among the three host species, with Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria being the dominant phyla. Notably, the abundance of specific genera, such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus, showed a significant positive correlation with magnolin concentrations. These findings suggest a potential link between specific endophytic taxa and the biosynthesis of magnolin, providing novel insights for improving the medicinal value of Magnolia plants through microbial regulation. This research lays a foundation for future studies on harnessing endophytic microorganisms to enhance the production of valuable secondary metabolites in medicinal plants.