biostudies-literatureUnknown101(8)de Ram CMucin glycan degradation and utilization by microbes colonizing the human intestine is an essential host-microbe interaction. In this study, degradation and utilization of porcine gastric mucin glycans by Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus torques, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, co-cultures, and a synthetic bacterial community were investigated over time. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry O-glycan patterns revealed that all three monocultures removed sialic acid residues. Furthermore, R. torques first targeted fucosylated O-glycans, while A. muciniphila and B. thetaiotaomicron equally favoured fucosylated and non-fucosylated O-glycans. A. muciniphila, R. torques, and B. thetaiotaomicron favoured degradation of first core 2 O-glycan structures relative to core 1 O-glycan struFEMS microbiology ecologyfiaf066https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12258148biostudies-literatureDistinct in vitro utilization and degradation of porcine gastric mucin glycans by human intestinal bacteria.PMC12258148O Pandeirada CBelzer Cde Ram CHooiveld GJEJSchols HAVincken JPBerkhout MDfalseDistinct in vitro utilization and degradation of porcine gastric mucin glycans by human intestinal bacteria.Mucin glycan degradation and utilization by microbes colonizing the human intestine is an essential host-microbe interaction. In this study, degradation and utilization of porcine gastric mucin glycans by Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruminococcus torques, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, co-cultures, and a synthetic bacterial community were investigated over time. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry O-glycan patterns revealed that all three monocultures removed sialic acid residues. Furthermore, R. torques first targeted fucosylated O-glycans, while A. muciniphila and B. thetaiotaomicron equally favoured fucosylated and non-fucosylated O-glycans. A. muciniphila, R. torques, and B. thetaiotaomicron favoured degradation of first core 2 O-glycan structures relative to core 1 O-glycan stru2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jul2026-05-29T17:14:02.329Z2026-04-08T05:24:51.915ZS-EPMC122581484058159910.1093/femsec/fiaf066