Bioinformatics analysis of endophytic bacteria related to berberine in the Chinese medicinal plant Coptis teeta Wall.

Abstract Plant endophytic microorganisms absorb nutrients and prevent pathogen damage, supporting healthy plant growth. However, relationships between endophytic bacteria of the medicinal plant Coptis teeta Wall. and berberine production remain unclear. Herein, we explored the microbial composition of wild-type (WT) and cultivated Coptis teeta Wall. root, stem and leaf, and endophytic bacteria related to berberine. Microbial characteristics of were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and berberine in roots was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the major phyla, and Mycobacterium , Salmonella , Nocardioides , Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia and Rhizobium were the dominant genera. Berberine was positively correlated with total P (TP), total N (TN), total K (TK) and available K (AK) in rhizosphere soil, and with Microbacterium and norank_f__7B-8 , whereas TK was positively correlated with Microbacterium , TN, AK and Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia . The findings will support further studies on endophytic bacteria and berberine in Coptis teeta Wall., and may promote berberine production.