Stability of vitamin B12 with the protection of whey proteins and their effects on the gut microbiome

Enhancement of vitamin B stability with the protection of whey protein and their interaction mechanisms

Vitamin B is easily degraded by light and heat during storage, which results in nutritional loss of food. Whey protein is expected to protect vitamin B by forming complexes through secondary bonds. The properties of the complexes and protective effects of whey protein on vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6 were characterized. The percentage losses of vitamin B were decreased by more than 60% with the protection of whey protein. FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermodynamic analysis and molecular docking were used to investigate the binding interaction between vitamin B and whey protein. Vitamin B quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of whey protein, mainly with a static nature (Kq > 2.0 × 1010 L/(mol·s)). The interactions between whey protein and vitamin B were mostly mediated by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, as demonstrated by the thermodynamic parameters and molecular docking.

Biological properties of vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, cobalamin, is indispensable for humans owing to its participation in two biochemical reactions: the conversion of l-methylmalonyl coenzyme A to succinyl coenzyme A, and the formation of methionine by methylation of homocysteine. Eukaryotes, encompassing plants, fungi, animals and humans, do not synthesise vitamin B12, in contrast to prokaryotes. Humans must consume it in their diet. The most important sources include meat, milk and dairy products, fish, shellfish and eggs. Due to this, vegetarians are at risk to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency and it is recommended that they consume fortified food. Vitamin B12 behaves differently to most vitamins of the B complex in several aspects, e.g. it is more stable, has a very specific mechanism of absorption and is stored in large amounts in the organism. This review summarises all its biological aspects (including its structure and natural sources as well as its stability in food, pharmacokinetics and physiological function) as well as causes, symptoms, diagnosis (with a summary of analytical methods for its measurement), prevention and treatment of its deficiency, and its pharmacological use and potential toxicity.

Effect of inulin on structural, physicochemical, and in vitro gastrointestinal tract release properties of core-shell hydrogel beads as a delivery system for vitamin B12

In this study, core-shell hydrogel beads were developed as a controlled-release delivery system for vitamin B12. Vitamin B12-loaded microgels (MG) were prepared using gellan gum (GG). Core-shell hydrogel beads were produced by incorporating MG into pea protein isolate (PPI) and sodium alginate (AL) matrix filled/coated with different concentrations (0 %, 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 10 %) of inulin (IN). Based on XRD analysis, MG was successfully incorporated into core-shell hydrogel beads. In FE-SEM and FT-IR analyses, the smoother surface and denser structure of the beads were observed as IN concentration increased due to hydrogen bonds between IN and the beads. The encapsulation efficiency increased from 68.64 % to 82.36 % as IN concentration increased from 0 % to 10 %, respectively. After exposure to simulated oral and gastric conditions, core-shell hydrogel beads exhibited a lower cumulative release than MG, and a more sustained release was observed as IN concentration increased in simulated intestinal conditions.

B-Group Vitamins as Potential Prebiotic Candidates: Their Effects on the Human Gut Microbiome

In recent years, thousands of studies have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome for human health and its relationship with certain diseases. The search for new gut microbiome modulators has thus become an objective to beneficially alter the gut microbiome composition and/or metabolic activity, which may modify intestinal physiology. Growing evidence has shown that B-group vitamins might be considered as potential candidates as gut microbiome modulators. However, the relationship between the B-group vitamins and the gut microbiome remains largely unexplored. Studies have suggested that non-absorbed B-group vitamins administered orally can reach the distal intestine or even the colon where these vitamins may have potential health benefits for the host. Clinical trials supporting this effect are still limited. In this review, we discuss evidence regarding the modulatory effects of B-group vitamins on the gut microbiome with a focus on their potential role as prebiotic candidates.

Alterations of conjunctival microbiota associated with orthokeratology lens wearing in myopic children

BACKGROUND

Orthokeratology (OK) lens wear increases the risk of bacterial infection, but little is known about the microbiota of the conjunctival sac in myopic children wearing OK lenses. This study aimed to investigate the changes of conjunctival microbiota in children after treatment with OK lenses using 16 S rDNA sequencing.

METHODS

Twenty-eight myopic children who had been continuously wearing OK lenses for 12 to 13 months were enrolled in this prospective study. Twenty-two gender- and age-matched myopic children who had not worn OK lenses or discontinued OK lens wear at least 1 year ago were recruited as controls. Conjunctival swabs from each participant were collected for exploration of the microbiota profiles, targeting the V3-V4 regions of the 16 S rRNA gene by MiSeq sequencing. The differences in the microbial community structure and diversity were also compared between groups.

RESULTS

The bacterial alpha diversity indices in the OK lens group were not different from those in the non-wearer group (P > 0.05, Wilcoxon test), while beta diversity examined using principle coordinate analysis of unweighted UniFrac divided the two groups into different clusters. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the abundant phyla in the conjunctival sac microbiota in both groups (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). Among children in the OK lens group, the Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size identified the compositional changes in OK lens-associated bacteria. Key functional genera such as Blautia, Parasutterella, and Muribaculum were enriched, whereas Brevundimonas, Acinetobacter, Proteus, and Agathobacter decreased significantly (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states also showed altered bacterial metabolic pathways in OK lens-associated microbiota. Moreover, using receiver operating characteristic curves, Brevundimonas, Acinetobacter, Proteus, and Agathobacter alone (the area under the curve was all > 0.7500) or in combination (the area under the curve was 0.9058) were revealed to discriminate OK lens wearers from controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The relative abundance of the microbial community in the conjunctival sac of myopic children can alter after OK lens wear. Brevundimonas, Acinetobacter, Proteus, and Agathobacter may be candidate biomarkers to distinguish between OK lens wearers and non-wearers.

Fecal microbial composition associated with testosterone in the development of Meishan male pigs

Introduction

The gut microbiota closely relates to host health, whereas the relationship between gut microbiota and testosterone during the development of Meishan male pigs remains unclear. This study investigated the fecal microbiota composition and testosterone level during development in Meishan male pigs.

Methods

Fresh fecal samples of 20 healthy Meishan male pigs were individually collected at 10 and 22 weeks (wk) of age for testosterone content detection and bacteria pyrosequencing analysis. Anaerobic culture experiment of fecal bacteria in vitro was performed for bacteria pyrosequencing analysis.

Results

The fecal testosterone content increased significantly from 10 weeks (wk) to 22 wk of age (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the boars at 22 wk had a lower abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, and genus Alloprevotella, Prevotella_1, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Streptococcus in the fecal microbiota composition (P < 0.05). but higher proportions of the phylum Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Kiritimatiellaeota, and Tenericutes, and genus Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Muribaculaceae and Terrisporobacter than that at 10 wk (P < 0.05), and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was higher at 22 wk than 10 wk (P < 0.05). Moreover, the fecal testosterone level significantly correlated with the relative abundance of the phylum Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Tencuteseri, and genus Alloprevotella, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Muribaculaceae, Prevotella_1 and Streptococcus. Furthermore, the in vitro experiments indicated that the abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria and genus Escherichia-Shigella reduced with the increase of supplemental testosterone level. In contrast, the proportion of Firmicutes phylum increased with additional testosterone levels.

Discussion

Testosterone could modulate the microflora structure. Meanwhile, the bacteria could degrade the testosterone in a dose testosterone-dependent manner. These results provide us with new insights into the relationship between the gut microbiome and testosterone and the contributions of the gut microbiome in physiological regulation in response to gonad development.

Vitamin B12 produced by Cetobacterium somerae improves host resistance against pathogen infection through strengthening the interactions within gut microbiota

BACKGROUND

Pathogen infections seriously affect host health, and the use of antibiotics increases the risk of the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and also increases environmental and health safety risks. Probiotics have received much attention for their excellent ability to prevent pathogen infections. Particularly, explaining mechanism of action of probiotics against pathogen infections is important for more efficient and rational use of probiotics and the maintenance of host health.

RESULTS

Here, we describe the impacts of probiotic on host resistance to pathogen infections. Our findings revealed that (I) the protective effect of oral supplementation with B. velezensis against Aeromonas hydrophila infection was dependent on gut microbiota, specially the anaerobic indigenous gut microbe Cetobacterium; (II) Cetobacterium was a sensor of health, especially for fish infected with pathogenic bacteria; (III) the genome resolved the ability of Cetobacterium somerae CS2105-BJ to synthesize vitamin B12 de novo, while in vivo and in vitro metabolism assays also showed the ability of Cetobacterium somerae CS2105-BJ to produce vitamin B12; (IV) the addition of vitamin B12 significantly altered the gut redox status and the gut microbiome structure and function, and then improved the stability of the gut microbial ecological network, and enhanced the gut barrier tight junctions to prevent the pathogen infection.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, this study found that the effect of probiotics in enhancing host resistance to pathogen infections depended on function of B12 produced by an anaerobic indigenous gut microbe, Cetobacterium. Furthermore, as a gut microbial regulator, B12 exhibited the ability to strengthen the interactions within gut microbiota and gut barrier tight junctions, thereby improving host resistance against pathogen infection. Video Abstract.

Intestinal Production of Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor by Bacillus coagulans Spores

This study examines the possibility of directly producing and utilizing useful substances in the intestines of animals using anaerobic bacteria that can grow in the intestines of animals. A facultative anaerobe producing a large amount of α-glucosidase inhibitor was isolated from hay and identified and named Bacillus coagulans CC. The main compound of α-glucosidase inhibitor produced by Bacillus coagulans CC was identified as 1-deoxynojirimycin. α-glucosidase inhibitor activity was confirmed in the intestinal contents and feces of mice orally administered with spores of this strain, and it was confirmed that this strain could efficiently reach the intestines, proliferate, and produce α-glucosidase inhibitors. As a result of administering Bacillus coagulans CC to mice at 10⁹ cells per 1 kg body weight of spores for 8 weeks, the high-carbohydrate diet and the high-fat diet showed a 5% lower weight gain compared to the non-administrated group. At this point, in the spore-administered group, a decrease was observed in both the visceral and subcutaneous fat layers of the abdomen and thorax in both high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet groups compared to the non-administered group on computed tomography. The results of this study show that α-glucosidase inhibitors produced in the intestine by specific strains can work efficiently.

Investigation of soybean lipophilic proteins as carriers for vitamin B12: Focus on interaction mechanism, physicochemical functionality, and digestion characteristics

This study aimed to explore the interaction mechanism between soybean lipophilic protein (LP) and vitamin B₁₂ and the potential of LP as a vitamin B₁₂ carrier. The results of spectroscopy indicated that the interaction between vitamin B₁₂ and LP changed the conformation of LP and exposed hydrophobic groups largely. The results of molecular docking revealed that vitamin B₁₂ interacted with LP through a hydrophobic pocket embedded on the surface of LP. With the enhancement of the interaction between LP and vitamin B₁₂, the particle size of the LP-vitamin B₁₂ complex gradually decreased to 588.31 nm and the absolute value of zeta potential gradually increased to 26.82 mV. Meanwhile, the LP-vitamin B₁₂ complex showed excellent physicochemical properties and digestive characteristics. The present work enriched the means of vitamin B₁₂ protection and provided a theoretical basis for applying the LP-vitamin B₁₂ complex in food systems.

The Intestinal Microbiome in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathies and Cobalamin Deficiency or Normocobalaminemia-A Comparative Study

Cobalamin deficiency is a common sequela of chronic enteropathies (CE) in dogs. Studies comparing the intestinal microbiome of CE dogs with cobalamin deficiency to those that are normocobalaminemic are lacking. Therefore, our aim was to describe the fecal microbiome in a prospective, comparative study evaluating 29 dogs with CE and cobalamin deficiency, 18 dogs with CE and normocobalaminemia, and 10 healthy control dogs. Dogs with cobalamin deficiency were also analyzed after oral or parenteral cobalamin supplementation. Overall microbiome composition (beta diversity) at baseline was significantly different in CE dogs with cobalamin deficiency when compared to those with normocobalaminemia (p = 0.001, R = 0.257) and to healthy controls (p = 0.001, R = 0.363). Abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were significantly increased (q = 0.010 and 0.049), while those of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria were significantly decreased (q = 0.002 and 0.014) in CE dogs with cobalamin deficiency when compared to healthy controls. Overall microbiome composition in follow-up samples remained significantly different after 3 months in both dogs receiving parenteral (R = 0.420, p = 0.013) or oral cobalamin supplementation (R = 0.251, p = 0.007). Because cobalamin supplementation, in combination with appropriate therapy, failed to restore the microbiome composition in the dogs in our study, cobalamin is unlikely to be the cause of those microbiome changes but rather an indicator of differences in underlying pathophysiology that do not influence clinical severity but result in a significant aggravation of dysbiosis.

Vitamin B12 in Foods, Food Supplements, and Medicines-A Review of Its Role and Properties with a Focus on Its Stability

Vitamin B₁₂, also known as the anti-pernicious anemia factor, is an essential micronutrient totally dependent on dietary sources that is commonly integrated with food supplements. Four vitamin B₁₂ forms-cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, and methylcobalamin-are currently used for supplementation and, here, we provide an overview of their biochemical role, bioavailability, and efficacy in different dosage forms. Since the effective quantity of vitamin B₁₂ depends on the stability of the different forms, we further provide a review of their main reactivity and stability under exposure to various environmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH, light) and the presence of some typical interacting compounds (oxidants, reductants, and other water-soluble vitamins). Further, we explore how the manufacturing process and storage affect B₁₂ stability in foods, food supplements, and medicines and provide a summary of the data published to date on the content-related quality of vitamin B₁₂ products on the market. We also provide an overview of the approaches toward their stabilization, including minimization of the destabilizing factors, addition of proper stabilizers, or application of some (innovative) technological processes that could be implemented and contribute to the production of high-quality vitamin B₁₂ products.

Intermediate role of gut microbiota in vitamin B nutrition and its influences on human health

Vitamin B consists of a group of water-soluble micronutrients that are mainly derived from the daily diet. They serve as cofactors, mediating multiple metabolic pathways in humans. As an integrated part of human health, gut microbiota could produce, consume, and even compete for vitamin B with the host. The interplay between gut microbiota and the host might be a crucial factor affecting the absorbing processes of vitamin B. On the other hand, vitamin B supplementation or deficiency might impact the growth of specific bacteria, resulting in changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota. Together, the interplay between vitamin B and gut microbiota might systemically contribute to human health. In this review, we summarized the interactions between vitamin B and gut microbiota and tried to reveal the underlying mechanism so that we can have a better understanding of its role in human health.

Vitamin B12 Status and Gut Microbiota among Saudi Females with Obesity

Previous studies have suggested that dietary habits and dysbiosis of gut microbiota contributed to obesity development. Vitamin B12 is produced by microbes; however, the relationships between vitamin B12, gut microbiome, and obesity are understudied. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin B12 status and gut microbiota relative to obesity in 92 Saudi Arabian females aged 19-25 years who were obese (n = 44) or normal weight (n = 48). Anthropometric, biochemical data, and dietary data were collected. The microbial communities of stool samples were characterized using the shotgun metagenomic sequencing technique. The relationship between vitamin B12 status and gut microbiota composition was identified using Pearson correlation analysis. A statistically significant difference was found in bacterial α- and β-diversity between the groups relative to median serum vitamin B12 level (404.0 pg/mL) and body weight. In the total participants, dietary vitamin B12 intake was inversely correlated with Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense and Blautia wexlerae species. In obese participants, dietary vitamin B12 intake was inversely correlated with Akkermansia muciniphila species and species from the Verrucomicrobia phylum, whereas it was positively correlated with Bacteroides species. Our findings indicate that the abundance (frequency) and diversity (richness) of gut microbiota are associated with vitamin B12 levels and obesity in young females.

The non-covalent interactions between whey protein and various food functional ingredients

In daily diet, Whey protein (WP) is often coexisted with various Food functional ingredients (FFI) such as proteins, polyphenols, polysaccharides and vitamins, which inevitably affect or interact with each other. Generally speaking, they may be interact by two different mechanisms: non-covalent and covalent interactions, of which the former is more common. We reviewed the non-covalent interactions between WP and various FFI, explained the effect of each WP-FFI interaction, and provided possible applications of WP-FFI complex in the food industry. The biological activity, physical and chemical stability of FFI, and the structure and functionalities of WP were enhanced through the non-covalent interactions. The development of non-covalent interactions between WP and FFI provides opportunities for the design of new ingredients and biopolymer complex, which can be applied in different fields. Future research will further focus on the influence of external or environmental factors in the food system and processing methods on interactions.

Determination of the Chemical Stability of Cyanocobalamin in Medical Food by a Validated Immunoaffinity Column-Linked HPLC Method

Cyanocobalamin, which plays an essential role in the body, is a synthetic form used in medical food. This present study aimed to develop an HPLC analysis method for determination cyanocobalamin and investigate the stability of cyanocobalamin in medical food. Validation of the developed method for cyanocobalamin was evaluated with linearity, LOD, LOQ, and accuracy. The linearity of this method was calculated with a value of the coefficient of determination (R2) ≥ 0.999. LOD and LOQ were 0.165 and 0.499 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery of medical food matrixes for accuracy was more than 97.63%. The validated method was applied for determining cyanocobalamin from medical foods. The developed method was used to examine the additives for cyanocobalamin protection. Ferric chloride and sorbitol alleviated cyanocobalamin degradation from heat and ascorbic acid. Especially, sorbitol showed a superior protective effect during the medical food production process. Therefore, this study suggests that sorbitol is a sweetener additive that prevents cyanocobalamin degradation by heat and the food matrix in medical food processing.

Vitamin B-12 and the Gastrointestinal Microbiome: A Systematic Review

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is a major public health problem affecting individuals across the lifespan, with known hematological, neurological, and obstetric consequences. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin B-12 may have an important role in other aspects of human health, including the composition and function of the gastrointestinal (gut) microbiome. Vitamin B-12 is synthesized and utilized by bacteria in the human gut microbiome and is required for over a dozen enzymes in bacteria, compared to only two in humans. However, the impact of vitamin B-12 on the gut microbiome has not been established. This systematic review was conducted to examine the evidence that links vitamin B-12 and the gut microbiome. A structured search strategy was used to identify in vitro, animal, and human studies that assessed vitamin B-12 status, dietary intake, or supplementation, and the gut microbiome using culture-independent techniques. A total of 22 studies (3 in vitro, 8 animal, 11 human observational studies) were included. Nineteen studies reported vitamin B-12 intake, status, or supplementation was associated with gut microbiome outcomes, including beta-diversity, alpha-diversity, relative abundance of bacteria, functional capacity, or short chain fatty acid production. Evidence suggests vitamin B-12 may be associated with changes in bacterial abundance. While results from in vitro studies suggest vitamin B-12 may increase alpha-diversity and shift gut microbiome composition (beta-diversity), findings from animal studies and observational human studies were heterogeneous. Based on evidence from in vitro and animal studies, microbiome outcomes may differ by cobalamin form and co-intervention. To date, few prospective observational studies and no randomized trials have been conducted to examine the effects of vitamin B-12 on the human gut microbiome. The impact of vitamin B-12 on the gut microbiome needs to be elucidated to inform screening and public health interventions. Statement of significance: Vitamin B-12 is synthesized and utilized by bacteria in the human gut microbiome and is required by over a dozen enzymes in bacteria. However, to date, no systematic reviews have been conducted to evaluate the impact of vitamin B-12 on the gut microbiome, or its implications for human health.

Which Microbes Like My Diet and What Does It Mean for My Heart?

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of hospitalization, death and disability in Europe. Despite our knowledge of nonmodifiable and modifiable cardiovascular classical risk factors, the morbidity and mortality in this group of diseases remains high, leading to high social and economic costs. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new factors, such as the gut microbiome, that may play a role in many crucial pathological processes related to cardiovascular diseases. Diet is a potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are essential to the proper function of the human body. The style and composition of the human diet has changed over time, evolving from a hunter–gatherer diet to an industrialized and Westernized modern diet that includes processed products. The relationship between the gut microbiome, diet and cardiovascular diseases is complex and still not fully understood. In this review, we discuss, in the context of diet, why particular microbes occur in individuals and how they can influence the host’s cardiovascular system in health and disease. We investigate the role of particular microorganisms and changes in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.

A Comparison of Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens Receiving Graded Levels of Vitamin B12

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of fortified diets with standard vs. high levels of vitamin B₁₂ on cecal microbiota composition, production performance, and eggshell quality of laying hens. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet with no supplementation of vitamin B₁₂ or supplemented with 25, 100, and 400 μg/kg vitamin B₁₂, respectively. A total of 432 laying hens were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replicates per treatment. No significant effect of dietary treatments on the production performance of hens was detected. The shell thickness of eggs from hens fed diet supplemented with 100 μg/kg of vitamin B₁₂ was higher (P < 0.01) than that of eggs from hens fed control diet or supplemented with 25 μg/kg vitamin B₁₂. The shell percentage of eggs from hens fed diet supplemented with 400 μg/kg of vitamin B₁₂ was higher (P < 0.01) than that of eggs from hens fed other treatment diets. Dietary vitamin B₁₂ did not modulate diversity of the cecal microbiota of the layers. At genus level, the cecal content from layers fed diet with supplemental level of 100 or 400 μg/kg of vitamin B₁₂ had higher (P < 0.01) abundance of Faecalibacterium and lower (P < 0.05) abundance of Acinetobacter compared with the cecal content from layers fed other two diets. The abundance of Lactobacillus in the cecal samples from layers fed 100 μg/kg of supplemental level of vitamin B₁₂ was higher (P < 0.05) than that from layers fed other three diets. The abundance of Butyricicoccus was higher (P < 0.05), while Bilophila was lower (P < 0.05) in the cecal content of layers fed 400 μg/kg of vitamin B₁₂ diet compared with those from layers fed other three diets. The results of PICRUSt analysis indicated that 10 predicted metabolic functions of the cecal microbial communities were positively correlated to dietary vitamin B₁₂ level. Overall, dietary supplementation of 100 or 400 μg/kg of vitamin B₁₂ had equivalent effects and caused the significant change in composition and metabolic functions of cecal microorganisms, which could positively impact eggshell quality, metabolism, and gut health of laying hens.

Research progress on polysaccharide/protein hydrogels: Preparation method, functional property and application as delivery systems for bioactive ingredients

Some bioactive ingredients in foods are unstable and easily degraded during processing, storage, transportation and digestion. To enhance the stability and bioavailability, some food hydrogels have been developed to encapsulate these unstable compounds. In this paper, the preparation methods, formation mechanisms, physicochemical and functional properties of some protein hydrogels, polysaccharide hydrogels and protein-polysaccharide composite hydrogels were comprehensively summarized. Since the hydrogels have the ability to control the release and enhance the bioavailability of bioactive ingredients, the encapsulation and release mechanisms of polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins and probiotics by hydrogels were further discussed. This review will provide a comprehensive reference for the deep application of polysaccharide/protein hydrogels in food industry.

Dysphagia, texture modification, the elderly and micronutrient deficiency: a review

Dysphagia is an underlying symptom of many health issues affecting a person's ability to swallow. Being unable to swallow correctly may limit food intake and subsequently micronutrient status. The elderly may be the most at risk group of suffering dysphagia as well as most likely to be deficient in micronutrients. The use of texture-modified meals is a common approach to increasing dysphagia sufferer's food intake. The modification of food may affect the micronutrient content and currently there is a limited number of studies focusing on micronutrient content of texture-modified meals. This review considers the prevalence of dysphagia within the elderly UK community whilst assessing selected micronutrients. Vitamin B₁₂, C, D, folate, zinc and iron, which are suggested to be most likely deficient in the general elderly UK population, were reviewed. Each micronutrient is considered in terms of prevalence of deficiency, metabolic function, food source and processing stability to provide an overview with respect to elderly dysphagia sufferers.

Vitamin B12 Enriched in Spinach and its Effects on Gut Microbiota

Meat and fermented foods are the main source of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) for human beings. Therefore, daily cobalamin intake is a big problem for vegans. In this study, cyanocobalamin (CNCBL) was added to the culture broth for cobalamin enrichment in spinach. After 36 h of cultivation, the accumulated CNCBL in the spinach leaves (wet weight) was as high as 0.48% (concentration), and the leaves still contained 0.94 ± 0.11 μg/g CNCBL after boiling, which could provide consumer daily requirement of CNCBL. Because CNCBL supplementation had adverse effects on gut microbiota, this study focused on the effect of the combination of spinach and CNCBL on gut microbiota as well. After the boiled leaves were passed through an in vitro gastrointestinal tract simulation system, it was found that the spinach protected CNCBL against the low-pH gastric acid. Moreover, compared with the CNCBL supplement group, the relative abundances of Bacteroides and Firmicutes increased, and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, especially Escherichia spp., reduced. Analysis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) showed that cobalamin-rich spinach was positively correlated with Bacteroides, propionate, and butyrate. The results showed that the method of enriching spinach with CNCBL was effective and had beneficial effects on gut microbiota and SCFAs.

Gut microbiota affect the formation of calcium oxalate renal calculi caused by high daily tea consumption

Kidney stones are a common and frequently occurring disease worldwide. Stones can cause urinary tract obstruction, pain, haematuria, and other symptoms. In this study, the relationship between calcium oxalate renal calculi and gut microbiota was considered. The dietary habits of 30 patients with calcium oxalate kidney stones and 30 healthy people were investigated. The 16S rDNA sequences and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in their stool samples were analysed. We identified 5 genera of the gut microbiota as biomarkers for calcium oxalate renal calculi, namely, Bacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus, with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve value of 0.871 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.785-0.957). Phascolarctobacterium and Faecalibacterium showed a positive relationship with SCFA synthesis to reduce the risk of kidney stones. Meanwhile, according to the analysis, Lactobacillus spp. made the largest contribution (79%) to prevent kidney stones caused by tea consumption, since tea offers the great parts of oxalate in kidney stone formation. Three strains of Lactobacillus spp. were isolated from stools of a healthy person with a high level of tea consumption who did not suffer from kidney stones. All these strains survived in the colon with supplementation of high concentrations of tea and efficiently degraded oxalic acid (Ca. 50%) in an in vitro colonic simulation. Therefore, a suitable adjustment of the gut microbiota or SCFA concentration enhanced the degradation of oxalate from food, which can be applied to prevent the formation of calcium oxalate renal calculi caused by tea. KEY POINTS: • Five genera, including Lactobacillus, were identified as biomarkers for calcium oxalate renal calculi. • Lactobacillus is a potential gut bacterium associated with preventing kidney stone formation. • Isolated Lactobacillus strains have the ability to degrade oxalic acid in vitro.

Interaction of vitamin B12 with β-lactoglobulin: a computational study

The β-Lactoglobulin (βLG) is a major whey protein that has the potential to bind various ligands; hence it is used as a model protein in protein-ligand interaction studies. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for the human body, which helps in the synthesis of DNA, proteins, and the production of red blood cells. Binding interaction of vitamin B12 with βLG will help to understand the potency of βLG as a transporter for vitamin B12. Our experimental findings already showed that βLG binds with vitamin B12 successfully (Swain et al., 2020). Nevertheless, to further support our experimental results firmly, here, we have employed computational tools such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The molecular docking technique was used to elucidate the probable binding sites and binding affinity of vitamin B12 on βLG. The docked complex of vitamin B12 with βLG was subjected to MD simulation to investigate its stability and other interaction properties over a time frame. The study revealed that the compound is stable, and vitamin B12 imposes no change to the secondary structure of the βLG. The computational results agree reasonably well with our experimental study.

Proteinuria as a presenting sign of combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocysteinemia: case report

Background

Disorders of the metabolism and absorption of vitamin B12 can lead to decrease in activity of methionine synthetase and methylmalonate coenzyme A mutase (MMUT), which results in increased levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine in blood and urine. Often, combined methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and homocysteinemia is misdiagnosed due to a lack of specific symptoms. The clinical manifestations are diverse, but proteinuria as the initial presentation is rare.

Case presentation

Two cases of MMA with homocysteinemia in children are reported. Proteinuria were a primary presenting symptom, followed by anemia and neurologic symptoms (frequent convulsions and unstable walking, respectively). Screening of amino acids and acyl carnitine in serum showed that the propionyl carnitine:acetylcarnitine ratio increased. Profiling of urinary organic acids by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed high levels of methylmalonic acid. Homocysteine content in blood was increased. Comprehensive genetic analyses of peripheral blood-derived DNA demonstrated heterozygous variants of methylmalonic aciduria type C and homocystinuria (MMACHC) and amnionless (AMN) genes in our two patients, respectively. After active treatment, the clinical manifestations in Case 1 were relieved and urinary protein ceased to be observed; Case 2 had persistent proteinuria and was lost to follow-up.

Conclusions

Analyses of the organic acids in blood and urine suggested MMA combined with homocysteinemia. In such diseases, reports of renal damage are uncommon and proteinuria as the initial presentation is rare. Molecular analysis indicated two different genetic causes. Although the pathologic mechanisms were related to vitamin B12, the severity and prognosis of renal lesions were different. Therefore, gene detection provides new insights into inherited metabolic diseases.

Infant growth, neurodevelopment and gut microbiota during infancy: which nutrients are crucial?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To update the role of specific nutrients during infant development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several bioactive nutrients such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), iron, vitamins, proteins, or carbohydrates have been identified to exert an important role during the first 1000 days of life on infant growth, neurodevelopment, and gut microbiota establishment and maturation. LC-PUFAs are structural constituents of the central nervous system (CNS), being essential in retinal development or hippocampal plasticity. Recently, components of the milk fat globule membrane (MFG) are being added to infant formulas because of their key role in infant's development. A high intake of proteins induces a faster weight gain during infancy which correlates with later obesity. Digestible carbohydrates provide glucose, crucial for an adequate functioning of CNS; nondigestible carbohydrates [e.g. human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)] are the main carbon source for gut bacteria. Iron-deficiency anemia during infancy has been associated with alterations of mental and psychomotor development. Folate metabolism, closely related to vitamins B6 and B12, controls epigenetic changes, whereas inadequate status of vitamin D affects bone development, but may also increase intestinal permeability and alter gut microbiota composition.

SUMMARY

LC-PUFAs, proteins, carbohydrates, iron, and vitamins during early life are critical for infant's growth, neurodevelopment, and the establishment and functioning of gut microbiota.

Gut microbiota of newborn piglets with intrauterine growth restriction have lower diversity and different taxonomic abundances

Aim

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a prevalent problem in mammals. The present study was conducted to unveil the alterations in intestinal microbiota in IUGR piglets.

Methods and Results

We identified the alterations of small intestinal microbiota in IUGR piglets on 7, 21 and 28 days of age using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that IUGR piglets had a decreased alpha diversity of jejunum microbiota at 7 and 21 days of age; had lower abundances of Bacteroidetes and Bacteroides in the jejunum at 7, 21 and 28 days of age, Oscillibacter in the jejunum at 21 days of age, and Firmicutes in the ileum at 21 days of age; whereas they had higher abundances of Proteobacteria and Pasteurella in the ileum at 21 days of age and Escherichia–Shigella in the jejunum at 28 days of age. Correlation analysis showed that Bacteroides, Oscillibacter and Ruminococcaceae_UCG‐002 compositions were positively associated with the body weight (BW) of IUGR piglets, nevertheless Proteobacteria and Escherichia–Shigella relative abundances were negatively correlated with the BW of IUGR piglets. Gene function prediction analysis indicated that microbiota‐associated carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism were downregulated in the IUGR piglets compared to control piglets.

Conclusions

The present study profiled the intestinal microbiota of newborn piglets with IUGR and the newborn IUGR piglets have lower diversity and different taxonomic abundances. Alterations in the abundances of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria Escherichia–Shigella and Pasteurella may be involved in nutrient digestion and absorption, as well as the potential mechanisms connecting to the growth and development of IUGR in mammals.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The small intestinal microbiota were highly shaped in the IUGR piglets, which might further mediate the growth and development of IUGR piglets; and the gut microbiota could serve as a potential target for IUGR treatment.