Enzymatic Synergy-Driven Biotransformation Generates a Postbiotic-Rich Functional Matrix That Reprograms Gut...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Host-Microbiome Interactions

Background:

• Plant-based bioactive compounds are often inaccessible due to lignocellulosic structures.
• Mechanisms of postbiotic benefits, derived from fermentation, are not fully understood.
• Metabolic stress impacts host physiology and gut microbiome function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if a postbiotic-rich, co-fermented plant matrix enhances host resilience to metabolic stress.
• To determine if these benefits involve remodeling of the gut microbial functional capacity.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking fermentation-modified substrates to host recovery.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state co-fermentation of a plant matrix using Lactobacillus plantarum strains.
• Untargeted metabolomics and shotgun metagenomic sequencing.
• Hydrocortisone-induced murine metabolic stress model to assess host and microbiome changes.

Main Results:

• Co-fermentation altered the phytochemical landscape, increasing extractable flavonoids.
• Postbiotic matrix administration partially normalized stress neuroendocrine markers and improved behavior.
• Gut microbiome showed functional shifts, including enhanced polysaccharide utilization and altered metabolic pathways.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatic biotransformation of plant matrices yields postbiotics that improve host resilience.
• Microbial functional remodeling is a key mechanism connecting postbiotics to host physiological recovery.
• This provides a molecular basis for developing targeted postbiotic interventions.