# Detection of Cereibacter azotoformans-YS02 as a Novel Source of Coenzyme Q10 and Its Metabolic Analysis

## TL;DR

A new strain of Cereibacter azotoformans, YS02, is found to produce coenzyme Q10, a valuable antioxidant, and its metabolism is analyzed to understand how it can be used for industrial production.

## Contribution

Identification of Cereibacter azotoformans-YS02 as a novel CoQ10-producing strain with metabolic insights for industrial applications.

## Key findings

- YS02 produces 201 mg/kg of CoQ10 under aerobic–dark cultivation.
- 542 small-molecule metabolites were identified in YS02 using UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS.
- Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis may influence CoQ10 production differences in YS02.

## Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a high-value-added nutraceutical antioxidant, exhibits an excellent ability to prevent cardiovascular disease. Here, a novel Cereibacter azotoformans strain, designated YS02, was isolated for its ability to produce CoQ10 and genetically characterized by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The CoQ10 biosynthesis and metabolism differences of YS02 under various culture conditions were also systematically investigated. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16 S rRNA genes, along with taxonomic verification using average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis, confirmed its classification as C. azotoformans. Enzymatic genes dxs, dxr, idi, ubiA, and ubiG were annotated in YS02, which are critical genetic hallmarks for CoQ10 biosynthesis. Under aerobic–dark cultivation, YS02 grows well, and CoQ10 production can reach 201 mg/kg. A total of 542 small-molecule metabolites were identified from YS02 in aerobic–dark and anaerobic–light cultivation via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–coupled quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). Additionally, 40 differential metabolites were screened through multivariate statistical analysis. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan might be latent factors influencing CoQ10 production discrepancies within YS02 under both cultural modes. These findings represent new insights into the metabolic mechanism of YS02 and underscore its potential as an alternative strain source for industrial CoQ10 production, enriching the existing resources.