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Colosimo R, Harris HC, Ahn-Jarvis J, Troncoso-Rey P, Finnigan TJA, Wilde PJ, Warren FJ. Colonic in vitro fermentation of mycoprotein promotes shifts in gut microbiota, with enrichment of Bacteroides species. Commun Biol 2024; 7:272. [PMID: 38443511 PMCID: PMC10915147 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05893-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycoprotein is a fungal-derived ingredient used for meat alternative products whose fungal cell walls are rich in dietary fibre (β-glucans and chitin) and defines its structure. Several health benefits have been reported after mycoprotein consumption, however, little is known about the impact of mycoprotein fermentation on the gut microbiota. This study aims to identify changes in microbiome composition and microbial metabolites during colonic fermentation of mycoprotein following simulated upper gastrointestinal digestion. Changes in microbial populations and metabolites produced by the fermentation of mycoprotein fibre were investigated and compared to a plant (oat bran) and an animal (chicken) comparator. In this model fermentation system, mycoprotein and oat showed different but marked changes in the microbial population compared to chicken, which showed minimal differentiation. In particular, Bacteroides species known for degrading β-glucans were found in abundance following fermentation of mycoprotein fibre. Mycoprotein fermentation resulted in short-chain fatty acid production comparable with oat and chicken at 72 h. Significantly higher branched-chain amino acids were observed following chicken fermentation. This study suggests that the colonic fermentation of mycoprotein can promote changes in the colonic microbial profile. These results highlight the impact that the unique structure of mycoprotein can have on digestive processes and the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Colosimo
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
- Elsevier B.V, Radarweg 29a, 1043, NX, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hannah C Harris
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Jennifer Ahn-Jarvis
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Perla Troncoso-Rey
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Tim J A Finnigan
- Marlow Foods Ltd, Station Road, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, TS9 7AB, UK
| | - Pete J Wilde
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Frederick J Warren
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK.
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2
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Xu J, Shi Z, Xu L, Zheng X, Zong Y, Luo G, Zhang C, Liu M, Xie L. Recovery capability of anaerobic digestion from ammonia stress: Metabolic activity, energy generation, and genome-centric metagenomics. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 394:130203. [PMID: 38109977 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Excessive ammonia stresses anaerobic digestion (AD) significantly. Although there has been progress in understanding AD under ammonia exposure, investigations on AD liberated from ammonia exposure are limited. Here, the recovery capability of AD from ammonia stress was evaluated, by examining specific methanogenic activity, energy-conserving capability, microbial community succession, and metabolic pathway reconstruction. The findings demonstrated that ammonia stress relief resulted in < 50% methane recovery, with propionate conversion identified as the critical impediment to AD reactivation. Energy generation could not recovered either. Efforts to mitigate ammonia stress failed to restore acetoclastic methanogens, e.g., Methanothrix soehngenii, and proved futile in awakening propionate oxidizers, e.g., Desulfobulbus. Interestingly, a symbiotic metabolism emerged, prevailing in stress-relieved AD due to its energy-conserving advantage. This study underscores the importance of targeted interventions, including stimulating acetoclastic methanogenesis, propionate oxidation, and energy generation, as priorities for AD recovery following ammonia stress, rather than focusing solely on ammonia level management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Zhijian Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Pollution Control and Resource Utilization of Organic Wastes, Shanghai 200438, PR China
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xiaomei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Yang Zong
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Gang Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, PR China; Shanghai Technical Service Platform for Pollution Control and Resource Utilization of Organic Wastes, Shanghai 200438, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., LTD., Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Mingxian Liu
- Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Li Xie
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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3
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Klepinowski T, Skonieczna-Żydecka K, Pala B, Stachowska E, Sagan L. Gut microbiome in intracranial aneurysm growth, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral vasospasm: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1247151. [PMID: 37928732 PMCID: PMC10620726 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1247151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are the most common cerebral vascular pathologies. Their rupture leads to the most dangerous subtype of stroke-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), which may be followed by cerebral vasospasm and ischemic sequelae. Recently, an imbalance within the intestinal microbiota, referred to as dysbiosis, was suggested to play a role in the formation, progression, and rupture of IA. As no systematic review on this topic exists, considering the significance of this matter and a lack of effective prophylaxis against IA or cerebral vasospasm, we aim to sum up the current knowledge regarding their associations with intestinal microbiome, identify the gaps, and determine future prospects. Scientific databases were systematically and independently searched by two authors from inception to 1st May 2023 for original articles regarding the role of intestinal microbiota in intracranial aneurysmal growth, aSAH occurrence, as well as in cerebral vasospasm following aSAH. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist was followed in an abstraction process. The STROBE tool was applied to assess the risk of bias. This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant number 2021/41/N/NZ2/00844). Of 302 records, four studies were included that fully met eligibility criteria. Studies reported (1) that the relative abundance of Hungatella hathewayi is a protective factor against aneurysm growth and rupture, resulting from the reduced inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling in the cerebral arterial wall and from reduced metalloproteinase-mediated degradation of smooth muscle cells in cerebral vessels. (2) Relative abundance of Campylobacter ureolyticus is associated with aSAH. (3) No article has evaluated microbiota in relation to cerebral vasospasm following aSAH although there is an ongoing study. We concluded that intestinal microbiota might be a potential target for diagnostic and therapeutic tools to improve the management of cerebral aneurysms. However, more studies of prospective design are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Klepinowski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Bartłomiej Pala
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ewa Stachowska
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Leszek Sagan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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4
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Nagashima K, Zhao A, Atabakhsh K, Bae M, Blum JE, Weakley A, Jain S, Meng X, Cheng AG, Wang M, Higginbottom S, Dimas A, Murugkar P, Sattely ES, Moon JJ, Balskus EP, Fischbach MA. Mapping the T cell repertoire to a complex gut bacterial community. Nature 2023; 621:162-170. [PMID: 37587342 PMCID: PMC10948025 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06431-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Certain bacterial strains from the microbiome induce a potent, antigen-specific T cell response1-5. However, the specificity of microbiome-induced T cells has not been explored at the strain level across the gut community. Here, we colonize germ-free mice with complex defined communities (roughly 100 bacterial strains) and profile T cell responses to each strain. The pattern of responses suggests that many T cells in the gut repertoire recognize several bacterial strains from the community. We constructed T cell hybridomas from 92 T cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes; by screening every strain in the community against each hybridoma, we find that nearly all the bacteria-specific TCRs show a one-to-many TCR-to-strain relationship, including 13 abundant TCR clonotypes that each recognize 18 Firmicutes. By screening three pooled bacterial genomic libraries, we discover that these 13 clonotypes share a single target: a conserved substrate-binding protein from an ATP-binding cassette transport system. Peripheral regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells specific for an epitope from this protein are abundant in community-colonized and specific pathogen-free mice. Our work reveals that T cell recognition of commensals is focused on widely conserved, highly expressed cell-surface antigens, opening the door to new therapeutic strategies in which colonist-specific immune responses are rationally altered or redirected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Nagashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aishan Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katayoon Atabakhsh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Minwoo Bae
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jamie E Blum
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Allison Weakley
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sunit Jain
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xiandong Meng
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alice G Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Steven Higginbottom
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alex Dimas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth S Sattely
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James J Moon
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily P Balskus
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Fischbach
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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St-Pierre B, Perez Palencia JY, Samuel RS. Impact of Early Weaning on Development of the Swine Gut Microbiome. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1753. [PMID: 37512925 PMCID: PMC10385335 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering that pigs are naturally weaned between 12 and 18 weeks of age, the common practice in the modern swine industry of weaning as early as between two and four weeks of age increases challenges during this transition period. Indeed, young pigs with an immature gut are suddenly separated from the sow, switched from milk to a diet consisting of only solid ingredients, and subjected to a new social hierarchy from mixing multiple litters. From the perspective of host gut development, weaning under these conditions causes a regression in histological structure as well as in digestive and barrier functions. While the gut is the main center of immunity in mature animals, the underdeveloped gut of early weaned pigs has yet to contribute to this function until seven weeks of age. The gut microbiota or microbiome, an essential contributor to the health and nutrition of their animal host, undergoes dramatic alterations during this transition, and this descriptive review aims to present a microbial ecology-based perspective on these events. Indeed, as gut microbial communities are dependent on cross-feeding relationships, the change in substrate availability triggers a cascade of succession events until a stable composition is reached. During this process, the gut microbiota is unstable and prone to dysbiosis, which can devolve into a diseased state. One potential strategy to accelerate maturation of the gut microbiome would be to identify microbial species that are critical to mature swine gut microbiomes, and develop strategies to facilitate their establishment in early post-weaning microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit St-Pierre
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Animal Science Complex, Box 2170, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Jorge Yair Perez Palencia
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Animal Science Complex, Box 2170, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Ryan S Samuel
- Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Animal Science Complex, Box 2170, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
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6
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Yu L, Gao Y, Ye Z, Duan H, Zhao J, Zhang H, Narbad A, Tian F, Zhai Q, Chen W. Interaction of beta-glucans with gut microbiota: Dietary origins, structures, degradation, metabolism, and beneficial function. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023:1-26. [PMID: 37272431 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2217727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Beta-glucan (BG), a polysaccharide comprised of interfacing glucose monomers joined via beta-glycosidic linkages, can be defined as a type of dietary fiber with high specificity based on its interaction with the gut microbiota. It can induce similar interindividual microbiota responses, thereby having beneficial effects on the human body. In this paper, we review the four main sources of BG (cereals, fungi, algae, and bacteria) and their differences in structure and content. The interaction of BG with gut microbiota and the resulting health effects have been highlighted, including immune enhancement, regulation of serum cholesterol and insulin levels, alleviation of obesity and improvement of cognitive disorders. Finally, the application of BG in food products and its beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of consumers were discussed. Although some of the mechanisms of action remain unclear, revealing the beneficial functions of BG from the perspective of gut microbiota can help provide theoretical support for the development of diets that target the regulation of microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Arjan Narbad
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Gut Health and Microbiome Institute Strategic Programme, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, UK
| | - Fengwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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Exploring Bacterial Attributes That Underpin Symbiont Life in the Monogastric Gut. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0112822. [PMID: 36036591 PMCID: PMC9499014 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01128-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The large bowel of monogastric animals, such as that of humans, is home to a microbial community (microbiota) composed of a diversity of mostly bacterial species. Interrelationships between the microbiota as an entity and the host are complex and lifelong and are characteristic of a symbiosis. The relationships may be disrupted in association with disease, resulting in dysbiosis. Modifications to the microbiota to correct dysbiosis require knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms by which symbionts inhabit the gut. This review aims to summarize aspects of niche fitness of bacterial species that inhabit the monogastric gut, especially of humans, and to indicate the research path by which progress can be made in exploring bacterial attributes that underpin symbiont life in the gut.
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The Resemblance between Bacterial Gut Colonization in Pigs and Humans. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091831. [PMID: 36144433 PMCID: PMC9500663 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thorough understanding of the initial colonization process of human intestines is important to optimize the prevention of microbiota-associated diseases, and also to further improve the current microbial therapies. In recent years, therefore, colonization of the human gut has gained renewed interest. However, due to a lack of standardization of life events that might influence this early colonization process in humans, many generally accepted insights are based on deduction and assumption. In our review, we compare knowledge on colonization in humans with research in piglets, because the intestinal tract of pigs is remarkably similar to that of humans and the early-life events are more standardized. We assess potential similarities and challenge some concepts that have been widely accepted in human microbiota research. Bacterial colonization of the human gut is characterized by successive waves in a progressive process, to a complex gut microbiota community. After re-analyzing available data from piglets, we found that the bacterial colonization process is very similar in terms of the wave sequence and functionality of each wave. Moreover, based on the piglet data, we found that, in addition to external factors such as suckling and nutrition, the bacterial community itself appears to have a major influence on the colonization success of additional bacteria in the intestine. Thus, the colonization process in piglets might rely, at least in part, on niche dependency, an ecological principle to be considered in the intestinal colonization process in humans.
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Modulating the Gut Microbiota of Humans by Dietary Intervention with Plant Glycans. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02757-20. [PMID: 33355114 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02757-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human colon contains a community of microbial species, mostly bacteria, which is often referred to as the gut microbiota. The community is considered essential to human well-being by conferring additional energy-harvesting capacity, niche exclusion of pathogens, and molecular signaling activities that are integrated into human physiological processes. Plant polysaccharides (glycans, dietary fiber) are an important source of carbon and energy that supports the maintenance and functioning of the gut microbiota. Therefore, the daily quantity and quality of plant glycans consumed by the human host have the potential to influence health. Members of the gut microbiota differ in ability to utilize different types of plant glycans. Dietary interventions with specific glycans could modulate the microbiota, counteracting ecological perturbations that disrupt the intricate relationships between microbiota and host (dysbiosis). This review considers prospects and research options for modulation of the gut microbiota by the formulation of diets that, when consumed habitually, would correct dysbiosis by building diverse consortia that boost functional resilience. Traditional "prebiotics" favor bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, whereas dietary mixtures of plant glycans that are varied in chemical complexity would promote high-diversity microbiotas. It is concluded that research should aim at improving knowledge of bacterial consortia that, through shared nourishment, degrade and ferment plant glycans. The consortia may vary in composition from person to person, but functional outputs will be consistent in a given context because of metabolic redundancy among bacteria. Thus, the individuality of gut microbiotas could be encompassed, functional resilience encouraged, and correction of dysbiosis achieved.
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