Optimizing Divalent Cation Supplementation to Enhance the Production of the Kimchi Starter Strain Latilactobacillus curvatus WiKim0094.

To support the industrial-scale production of kimchi starter cultures, this study aimed to enhance the cell density of Latilactobacillus curvatus WiKim0094 by optimizing the composition of divalent cations in a nutrient-limited medium. Screening experiments identified Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ca²⁺ as key factors that significantly promoted cell growth. Using a Box-Behnken design, their optimal concentrations were determined to be 3.0, 0.1, and 4.4 mM, respectively, resulting in a 5.7-fold increase in the maximum viable cell count compared with the control. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that supplementation with these metal ions activated pathways associated with nucleic acid synthesis, energy metabolism, nutrient transport, cell structure formation, and stress resistance. These findings provide mechanistic insights into divalent cation-mediated enhancement of microbial growth and propose a cost-effective strategy for the large-scale cultivation of kimchi starter strains. Future studies will focus on validating this approach in large-scale bioreactors to facilitate industrial application.