Ecological isolation by the Chishui River drives microecology divergence in Daqu

This study investigates how the Chishui River acts as a geographical barrier driving microecological divergence in Daqu. Utilizing qu-omics, this study investigated metabolic phenotypes, microbial community composition, and functional differentiation in Daqu from both riverbanks. Results showed significant geographical variations were found in volatile profiles and dominant genera (e.g., <i>Kroppenstedtia, Aspergillus</i>). Network analysis revealed that positive bacterial interactions increased from the right to the left bank, while fungal cooperation markedly decreased. Right-bank Daqu exhibited upregulated oxidative phosphorylation, starch, sucrose, and glutathione metabolism, driven by stochastic fungal assembly. Conversely, left-bank Daqu was characterized by enhanced purine, monobactam, and nitrogen metabolism under deterministic assembly. This study introduces the concept of "ecological isolation" to Daqu microecology for the first time. It highlights how geographical barriers drive functional differentiation, offering vital implications for the regional regulation of Baijiu quality.