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Exploring in vitro production of colonic microbial metabolites from diverse protein sources using human ileal digesta

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We explored the relationship between protein fermentation metabolites and ileal digesta composition, using ileal digesta from ileostomates, who ingested nine different protein sources, incubated in the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). NH 3 , short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), H 2 S, tryptophan derivatives, and biogenic amines were measured in proximal and distal colon vessels. The relative changes in most metabolites were positively correlated with their amino acid precursors in ileal digesta. In both colon vessels, the relative change of NH 3 was a good predictor for the production of other metabolites. Indole was strongly associated with oxindole, 5-HT, and tryptamine and the sum of Trp metabolites in the distal colon. Per gram ingested protein, zein and whey may produce the highest levels of NH 3 and BCFA in the proximal colon and BCFA in the distal colon, whereas whey and pigeon peas may result in the highest levels of H 2 S. • Most, but not all, metabolites correlated with precursor amino acid in ileal digesta. • Production of NH 3 good predictor for production of other metabolites such as H 2 S. • Consumption of zein, whey and pigeon peas may produce higher levels of NH 3 and BCFA.

Source: Food Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.146632