In vitro gut microbial catabolism of ferulic acid is characterized by interindividual variability.

ABSTRACT: Interindividual variability in gut microbial metabolism of 4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid, FA), a major phenolic acid in cereals, may influence health outcomes and nutritional guidance; however, distinct metabotypes remain poorly defined. We investigated FA metabolism using in vitro fecal batch incubations from 18 individuals, combining ¹H NMR metabolomics with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. All individuals produced a shared set of FA-derived catabolites, but differed markedly in the rate and extent of FA conversion, enabling the identification of interindividual metabolic signatures. FA degradation was slower in older donors. Early 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid producers had lower tryptophan, and high 3-phenylpropanoic acid producers exhibited higher fumarate compare

SUBMITTER: Tomisova K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921213 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature