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Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

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The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...

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An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
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Published on: July 31, 2019

Flavanol monomer-induced changes to the human faecal microflora.

Xenofon Tzounis1, Jelena Vulevic, Gunter G C Kuhnle

  • 1Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG2 6AP, UK.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|November 6, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Flavanols like epicatechin and catechin are metabolized by gut bacteria into beneficial compounds. Both compounds show prebiotic effects, promoting beneficial gut bacteria growth.

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Structural Biology and Analytical Chemistry Approaches for Characterizing C-Glycoside Metabolic Enzymes in Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: May 23, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Gut Microbiome
  • Nutritional Biochemistry

Background:

  • Flavanols, abundant in plant-based foods, are known for their antioxidant properties.
  • The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in metabolizing dietary compounds.
  • Understanding flavanol metabolism is key to their health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the bacterial metabolism of (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin in a simulated human distal large intestine environment.
  • To identify the metabolites produced from flavanol fermentation.
  • To assess the impact of these flavanols on gut microflora composition and growth.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a pH-controlled, stirred, batch-culture fermentation system with human faecal bacteria.
  • Incubated (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin at concentrations of 150 mg/l and 1000 mg/l.
  • Analyzed the effects on specific bacterial groups, including Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale, Bifidobacterium spp., Escherichia coli, and C. histolyticum.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial metabolism of both flavanols produced 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone, 5-phenyl-gamma-valerolactone, and phenylpropionic acid.
  • (+)-Catechin required initial conversion to (+)-epicatechin for metabolite formation.
  • Both flavanols exhibited prebiotic effects, notably at 150 mg/l, promoting growth of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium spp. and E. coli.
  • (+)-Catechin showed a more pronounced effect on microflora composition compared to (-)-epicatechin.

Conclusions:

  • Gut bacteria metabolize (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin into common valerolactone and phenylpropionic acid derivatives.
  • Both flavanols demonstrate prebiotic potential, influencing the gut microbiome composition.
  • Consumption of flavanol-rich foods may contribute to gut health via these prebiotic actions.