Functional heterogeneity in the fermentation capabilities of the healthy human gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: The human gut microbiota is known for its highly heterogeneous composition across different individuals. However, relatively little is known about functional differences in its ability to ferment complex polysaccharides. Through ex vivo measurements from healthy human donors, we show that individuals vary markedly in their microbial metabolic phenotypes (MMPs), mirroring differences in their microbiota composition, and resulting in the production of different quantities and proportions of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) from the same inputs. We also show that aspects of these MMPs can be predicted from composition using 16S rRNA sequencing. From experiments performed using the same dietary fibers in vivo, we demonstrate that an ingested bolus of fiber is almost entirely consumed by the mic

SUBMITTER: Gurry T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8294568 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature