Insights into Butyrate Production in a Controlled Fermentation System via Gene Predictions

Abstract

This study demonstrates how bioinformatics tools, such as metagenome functional prediction from 16S rRNA genes, can help understand biological systems and reveal microbial interactions in controlled systems (e.g., bioreactors). Results obtained from controlled systems are easier to interpret than those from human/animal studies because observed changes may be specifically attributed to the design conditions imposed on the system. Bioinformatics analysis allowed us to identify potential butyrogenic phylotypes and associated butyrate metabolism pathways when we systematically varied the PH2 in a carefully controlled fermentation system. Our insights may be adapted to butyrate production studies in biohydrogen systems and gut models, since butyrate is a main product and a crucial fatty acid in human/animal colon health.

Insect-based diet, a promising nutritional source, modulates gut microbiota composition and SCFAs production in laying hens

“…3). Moreover KEGG orthologs were studied also for key enzymes involved in butyrate and propionate production from carbohydrates 22,23 . The majority of the functions analysed were enriched in ID group (Table S3).…”

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Rapeseed with or without Macroalgae on Performance and Health of Piglets Following Omission of Medicinal Zinc from Weaner Diets

“…The pre-fermentation of rapeseed provides piglets not only with the probiotic bacteria added during the pre-fermentation process [40], but also with health-promoting bioactive metabolites generated during the pre-fermentation process [18,19,38,41]. These bioactive compounds include lactate and butyrate [42][43][44], a vast array of phenolic compounds [45][46][47] which are essential for the modulation of the inflammatory response of intestinal mucosa, as well as antimicrobial peptides produced during fermentation [41]. Furthermore, the digestive capacity of the newly weaned piglet can also be aided by carbohydrate-degrading enzymes such as α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, and β-glucuronidase derived from beneficial bacteria [48,49], or the activation of endogenous plant enzymes by fermentation [50].…”

Dynamics of Dark Fermentation Microbial Communities in the Light of Lactate and Butyrate Production

“…It can also explain a lack or a weak correlation between Lactobacillus and lactate in Experiments ML, MLA and SLA. Interestingly, Esquivel-Elizondo and co-workers [51] considered Lactobacillaceae as a putative butyrate-producers.…”