Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
04:16
Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
Human milk oligosaccharide consumption by intestinal microbiota.
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. marcobal@stanford.edu
Summary
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are key nutrients in breast milk. This review explores how Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides bacteria in infant guts metabolize these undigested carbohydrates.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant component of human milk.
- Infants lack enzymes to digest HMOs, allowing them to reach the lower intestinal tract.
- Specific gut bacteria utilize HMOs as a nutrient source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review proposed mechanisms of HMO depletion and metabolism.
- To focus on the roles of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides genera in HMO utilization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on HMO metabolism in infant gut microbiota.
- Analysis of proposed biochemical pathways for HMO breakdown by key bacteria.
- Synthesis of current understanding of bacterial-HMO interactions.
Main Results:
- Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species possess unique enzymatic machinery to degrade diverse HMO structures.
- Metabolism of HMOs by these bacteria influences the overall infant gut microbiome composition.
- Specific HMO structures are preferentially consumed, shaping microbial ecology.
Conclusions:
- Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides play critical roles in processing HMOs within the infant gut.
- Understanding these metabolic pathways is crucial for infant nutrition and gut health.
- Further research can elucidate targeted prebiotic strategies based on HMO metabolism.
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