Identification of bacteria associated with green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) and the first report of Pseudomonas gorinensis in Europe

Abstract Asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis L.) is a nutrient-rich vegetable whose microbiological quality critically impacts shelf life and consumer safety. Despite its economic importance, the composition of the microflora remains underexplored. This study identified 60 bacterial isolates cultured on agar plates from fresh and cold-stored asparagus harvested in Poland. Asymptomatic green spears were disinfected with sodium hypochlorite or rinsed with water. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that among the 18 detected genera, Pseudomonas and Bacillus were the most numerous in disinfected samples, while psychrotrophic Acinetobacter predominated in water-treated spears. Furthermore, the microbial community included members of the genera that group plant growth promoters ( Rahnella , Flavobacterium, and Curtobacterium ), phytopathogens ( Pantoea and Erwinia), spoilage-related psychrotrophs ( Lelliottia and Paenarthrobacter) and opportunistic human pathogens ( Kluyvera , Serratia , Ewingella , and Massilia ). In particular, this study provides the first European report on the presence of Pseudomonas gorinensis in fresh asparagus spears. Three isolates exhibited more than 99.8% 16S rRNA and 99.3% rpoB gene sequence similarity to type strain of this species. These findings suggest a global distribution of P. gorinensis species and highlight the taxonomic diversity of the asparagus microflora.