Assessment of the human faecal microbiota: I. Measurement and reproducibility of selected enzymatic activities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The intestinal microbial community has major effects on human health, but optimal research methods are unsettled. To facilitate epidemiologic and clinical research, we sought to optimize conditions and to assess reproducibility of selected core functions of the distal gut microbiota, β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase bioactivities.

Methods and results

A colorimetric kinetic method was optimized and used to quantify activities of β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase in human faeces. Enzyme detection was optimal with neutral pH, snap freezing in liquid nitrogen and rapid thawing to 37 °C before protein extraction. Enzymatic stability was assessed by delayed freezing for 2-48 h to mimic field settings. Activities decayed approximately 20% within 2 h and 40% within 4 h a

SUBMITTER: Flores R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3399928 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature