A comparative meta-analysis reveals that substrate composition shapes bacterial communities in fermented foods, suggesting significant implications for fermentation processes.
Objective: Traditional fermentation is often viewed as a stochastic process primarily influenced by geography ("terroir"). This study tests the "Deterministic Assembly Hypothesis"—that substrate chemical composition (protein-rich soybean vs. fiber-rich plant material) is the primary driver of bacterial community structure. Methods: A systematic meta-analysis was conducted on high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing data from 13 studies (2019–2025), comparing microbial profiles of Tempe (soybean) and Silage (plant fiber). Results: Quantitative analysis reveals distinct species-level stratification. Tempe is dominated by proteolytic Lactobacillus fermentum (27–41%) and Enterobacter spp., whereas Silage is dominated by fibrolytic Lactobacillus plantarum (55–99%). Conclusion: The results confirm that substrate chemistry acts as a selective metabolic filter, dictating community assembly independent of geographical origin.
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Independent Researcher Zaelani (2026) studied this question.
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