Methodological Approaches for the Preservation of Akkermansia muciniphila as Microbial Genetic Resource

Akkermansia muciniphila is part of the intestinal microbiota and uses mucin as its primary source of carbon and nitrogen. It is considered a promising next-generation probiotic, with numerous beneficial functions. It regulates metabolic functions and immune response and improves the intestinal barrier, to name a few. This translates into the prevention of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, among others. However, despite its diverse benefits, A. muciniphila presents technical challenges in its cultivation and application, such as the need for a medium with a specific composition, the bacteria's high sensitivity to oxygen, a slow growth rate and stability, as well as differences between strains. In this sense, this protocol reflects the conditions for the preservation and maintenance of A. muciniphila.