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Screening Microbial Interactions During Inulin Utilization Reveals Strong Competition and Proteomic Changes in
Marco Vega-Sagardía1, Eva Cebrián Cabezón2, Josué Delgado2
1Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|May 25, 2023
Summary
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei M38 outcompetes other gut microbes for inulin, a prebiotic fiber. This strain-specific competition impacts microbiome composition and protein production, highlighting its potential as a probiotic.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gut Microbiome Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Resource competition is a key microbial interaction in the gut.
- Inulin, a prebiotic fiber, significantly influences gut microbiome composition.
- Lacticaseibacillus paracasei utilizes various strategies to metabolize fructans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen bacterial interactions during inulin utilization in representative gut microbes.
- To evaluate the effects of microbial interactions and proteomic changes on inulin metabolism.
- To understand the competitive dynamics between L. paracasei M38 and other gut bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Unidirectional and bidirectional microbial assays were employed.
- Global proteomic analysis was conducted to assess protein level changes.
- Inulin utilization and bacterial growth were quantified.
Main Results:
- Many gut microbes partially or fully consumed inulin, with partial consumption leading to cross-feeding.
- L. paracasei M38 strongly outcompeted other species like Ligilactobacillus ruminis PT16, Bifidobacterium longum PT4, and Bacteroides fragilis HM714.
- Proteomic analysis revealed increased inulin-degrading enzymes (e.g., β-fructosidase) in co-cultures.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbial interactions are strain-dependent, influencing inulin metabolism and leading to either cross-feeding or competition.
- Partial inulin degradation by some bacteria promotes coexistence, while complete degradation by L. paracasei M38 does not.
- The synergy between inulin and L. paracasei M38 suggests its potential as a dominant probiotic in the host gut.
