Abstract: In the present study, the whole genome sequencing of Pseudomonas fragi NMC25, a strain isolated from spoiled chilled chicken, was carried out using the PacBio RS II platform. The sequencing data were subsequently assembled, predicted, and annotated. Meanwhile, a preliminary comparative genomic analysis was conducted with the published genomes of P. aeruginosa PAO1, P. putida KT2440, P. fluorescens F113, and two other P. fragi isolates (P121 and NRRLB-727). The results showed that the genome size of P. fragi NMC25 was 5.152 13 Mb with GC content of 59.21%, and the genome contained one chromosome and three plasmids. A large number of spoilage-related genes were annotated in the genome by comparison with the COG, GO, KEGG, and CAZy databases. A low level of genome synteny between P. fragi NMC25 and three other Pseudomonas spp. was found in the comparative genomic analysis. Moreover, the synteny between NMC25 and P121 was less than 70%, indicating that the genomes of P. fragi isolated from different sources were quite different from each other. The genetic data demonstrated that P. fragi NMC25 had strong spoilage potential. These findings are helpful for in-depth understanding the metabolic characteristics of P. fragi and provide theoretical support for elucidating the mechanism of chilled chicken spoilage caused by P. fragi.

Key words: chilled chicken; spoilage; Pseudomonas fragi; whole genome sequencing