FIGURE 4.

The effect of trimming criteria on the NGS results of the model data of separately barcoded sequences of mock strains. (A) Torrent Suite 3′ end trimming of reads (+3′) retained the original relationship of barcoded reads as well as without trimming (–3′) imported reads. (B) When 3′ end trimmed (+3′, in Torrent Suite) reads were imported into the Mothur software and tight trimming procedures were applied, proportions of the strains became distorted. Resolving trimming lighter, proportions appeared more equal. The pipeline without 3′ end trimming in Torrent Suite and moderate trimming in CLC was selected for further analyses.