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Authors’ contributions IC, CMGB, JIR, SG, JMR, SD, and AM conceived and designed the study. NM, LR, IGD, JS, and ABC conducted the laboratory work. NM, AC, CMGB, and JIR collected and processed the biological samples. ABC developed the DNA extraction protocol. CM, MM, and MV performed the library preparation for NGS and the DNA sequencing. NM, CM, BS, MM, and MV analyzed the 16S data and the metagenomic data. JS, LR, JMR, and IC analyzed the NMR data. CMGB and JIR recruited the subjects. NM, MV, IC, SD, and AM prepared the figures and tables and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript., Background: The microbial populations of the human intestinal tract and their relationship to specific diseases have been extensively studied during the last decade. However, the characterization of the human bile microbiota as a whole has been hampered by difficulties in accessing biological samples and the lack of adequate methodologies to assess molecular studies. Although a few reports have described the biliary microbiota in some hepatobiliary diseases, the bile microbiota of healthy individuals has not been described. With this in mind, the goal of the present study was to generate fundamental knowledge on the composition and activity of the human bile microbiota, as well as establishing its potential relationship with human bile-related disorders. Results: Human bile samples from the gallbladder of individuals from a control group, without any record of hepatobiliary disorder, were obtained from liver donors during liver transplantation surgery. A bile DNA extraction method was optimized together with a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for determining the bacterial load. This allows the selection of samples to perform functional metagenomic analysis. Bile samples from the gallbladder of individuals suffering from lithiasis were collected during gallbladder resection and the microbial profiles assessed, using a 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing analysis, and compared with those of the control group. Additionally, the metabolic profile of the samples was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We detected, for the first time, bacterial communities in gallbladder samples of individuals without any hepatobiliary pathology. In the biliary microecosystem, the main bacterial phyla were represented by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Significant differences in the relative abundance of different taxa of both groups were found. Sequences belonging to the family Propionibacteriaceae were more abundant in bile samples from control subjects, Ministerio de Economía, Comercio y Empresa, Sección Deptal. de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria (Veterinaria), Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

trial showing the beneficial effect of the strain Ligilactobacillus salivarius CECT 30632 (previously known as L. salivarius MP101) on the functional and nutritional status, and on the nasal and fecal inflammatory profiles of elderly residing in a nursing home highly affected by the pandemic. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to elucidate if there were changes in the nasal and fecal bacteriomes of a subset of these patients as a result of the administration of the strain for 4 months and, also, its impact on their fecal fatty acids profiles. Culture-based methods showed that, while L. salivarius (species level) could not be detected in any of the fecal samples at day 0, L. salivarius CECT 30632 (strain level) was present in all the recruited people at day 120. Paradoxically, the increase in the L. salivarius counts was not reflected in changes in the metataxonomic analysis of the nasal and fecal samples or in changes in the fatty acid profiles in the fecal samples of the recruited people. Overall, our results indicate that L. salivarius CECT 30632 colonized, at least temporarily, the intestinal tract of the recruited elderly and may have contributed to improvements in their functional, nutritional, and immunological status, without changing the general structure of their nasal and fecal bacteriomes when assessed at the genus level. They also suggest the ability of low abundance bacteria to train immunity., Sección Dptal. de Nutrición y Ciencia de los Alimentos (Veterinaria), Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Arabinoxylan (AX) and arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) derived therefrom are emergent prebiotics with promising health promoting properties, likely linked to its capacity to foster beneficial species in the human gut. Bifidobacteria appear to be one taxa that is frequently promoted following AX or AXOS consumption, and that is known to establish metabolic cross-feeding networks with other beneficial commensal species. Therefore, probiotic bifidobacteria with the capability to metabolize AX-derived prebiotics represent interesting candidates to develop novel probiotic and synbiotic combinations with AX-based prebiotics. In this work we have deepen into the metabolic capabilities of bifidobacteria related to AX and AXOS metabolization through a combination of in silico an in vitro tools. Both approaches revealed that Bifidobacterium longum and, particularly, B. longum subsp. longum, appears as the better equipped to metabolize complex AX substrates, although other related subspecies such as B. longum subsp. infantis, also hold some machinery related to AXOS metabolization. This correlates to the growth profiles exhibited by representative strains of both subspecies in AX or AXOS enriched media. Based on these results, we formulated a differential carbohydrate free medium (CFM) supplemented with a combination of AX and AXOS that enabled to recover a wide diversity of Bifidobacterium species from complex fecal samples, while allowing easy discrimination of AX metabolising strains by the appearance of a precipitation halo. This new media represent an appealing alternative to isolate novel probiotic bifidobacteria, rapidly discriminating their capacity to metabolize structurally complex AX-derived prebiotics. This can be convenient to assist formulation of novel functional foods and supplements, including bifidobacterial species with capacity to metabolize AX-derived prebiotic ingredients.

New types of protein sources will enter our diet in a near future, reinforcing the need for a straightforward in vitro (cell-based) screening model to test and predict the safety of these novel proteins, in particular their potential risk for de novo allergic sensitization. The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for allergen sensitization describes the current knowledge of key events underlying the complex cellular interactions that proceed allergic food sensitization. Currently, there is no consensus on the in vitro model to study the intestinal translocation of proteins as well as the epithelial activation, which comprise the first molecular initiation events (ME1-3) and the first key event of the AOP, respectively. As members of INFOGEST, we have highlighted several critical features that should be considered for any proposed in vitro model to study epithelial protein transport in the context of allergic sensitization. In addition, we defined which intestinal cell types are indispensable in a consensus model of the first steps of the AOP, and which cell types are optional or desired when there is the possibility to create a more complex cell model. A model of these first key aspects of the AOP can be used to study the gut epithelial translocation behavior of known hypo- and hyperallergens, juxtaposed to the transport behavior of novel proteins as a first screen for risk management of dietary proteins. Indeed, this disquisition forms a basis for the development of a future consensus model of the allergic sensitization cascade, comprising also the other key events (KE2-5).

New types of protein sources will enter our diet in a near future, reinforcing the need for a straightforward in vitro (cell-based) screening model to test and predict the safety of these novel proteins, in particular their potential risk for de novo allergic sensitization. The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for allergen sensitization describes the current knowledge of key events underlying the complex cellular interactions that proceed allergic food sensitization. Currently, there is no consensus on the in vitro model to study the intestinal translocation of proteins as well as the epithelial activation, which comprise the first molecular initiation events (ME1-3) and the first key event of the AOP, respectively. As members of INFOGEST, we have highlighted several critical features that should be considered for any proposed in vitro model to study epithelial protein transport in the context of allergic sensitization. In addition, we defined which intestinal cell types are indispensable in a consensus model of the first steps of the AOP, and which cell types are optional or desired when there is the possibility to create a more complex cell model. A model of these first key aspects of the AOP can be used to study the gut epithelial translocation behavior of known hypo- and hyperallergens, juxtaposed to the transport behavior of novel proteins as a first screen for risk management of dietary proteins. Indeed, this disquisition forms a basis for the development of a future consensus model of the allergic sensitization cascade, comprising also the other key events (KE2-5).

Introducción El virus SARS-CoV-2 y su rápida expansión lo han convertido en un problema de salud global. Aunque en la población pediátrica ha tenido un menor impacto, se ha descrito una mayor sintomatología gastrointestinal en niños, algunos de los cuáles han desarrollado Síndrome Inflamatorio Multisistémico (MIS-C). El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el perfil microbiano, metabólico e inmunitario en muestras fecales de pacientes entre 4 y 14 años hospitalizados por COVID-19, para identificar marcadores de predisposición a severidad. Metodología El estudio incluyó 17 pacientes de cinco centros hospitalarios y 20 controles sanos pareados en edad. La plataforma REDCap se utilizó para la recogida de variables clínicas y se tomaron muestras de heces al ingreso. La microbiota intestinal se caracterizó mediante secuenciación del DNAr 16S y regiones ITS. El perfil de metabolitos fue analizado con LC-MS. Calprotectina y factores inmunitarios en heces fueron medidos mediante ELISA y sistema multiplex. Resultados El principal motivo de ingreso fue la fiebre. Se observó sintomatología gastrointestinal en el 47% de los pacientes. Cuatro pacientes fueron diagnosticados como MIS-C. Se observó un perfil microbiano diferencial entre pacientes y controles. Los niveles de calprotectina y factores inmunes no mostraron diferencias significativas, si bien se observó una tendencia mayor en la frecuencia de excreción de mediadores proinflamatorios en los pacientes. La detección fecal de triptófano, aminoácido esencial de unión al receptor de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina 2 (ACE2), fue mayor en pacientes. Conclusiones La infección por SARS-Cov-2 se asoció con cambios en la microbiota intestinal y posible afectación sobre el sistema inmune local. Se ha visto por primera vez en heces de niños ingresados con COVID-19 compuestos biológicos diferenciales respectos a sus homólogos sanos que podrían ayudar en el pronóstico frente a la infección.

Traditional fermented beverages have been consumed worldwide for centuries. Such is the case of "Chicha de siete semillas" which is originally from the province of Huanta, in Ayacucho, Peru. In this work we have analyzed the chemical composition and bacterial diversity of products manufactured from six producers, who have used different combinations of cereals, pseudocereals, legumes and aromatic herbs, although maize was present in all of them. The fermented beverages had a low pH, mainly due to the production of lactic acid, whereas ethanol was, in general, present in low concentrations. Most of the products were rich in GABA, the content of biogenic amines being very low, as corresponds to a product with a short maturation time (less than 4 days). A metataxonomic analysis revealed that Streptococcaceae and Leuconostocaceae families were dominant in the majority of the beverages, Streptococcus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. being the representative genera, respectively. The result was corroborated by culture-dependent techniques, since these were the most abundant genera isolated and identified in all samples, with Streptococcus macedonicus and Leuconostoc lactis as representative species. In lower proportions other isolates were identified as Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Furfurilactobacillus rossiae, Weissella confusa and Enterococcus faecium. The genetic profile of 26 S. macedonicus isolates was determined by RAPD-PCR and REP-PCR, showing five different patterns distinguishable with the first technique. One representative strain from each genetic pattern was further characterized and used to ferment a maize-based matrix (with saccharose) in order to know their technological potential. All strains were able to ferment the beverage at 30 °C in a short time (about 6 h) reaching a pH below 4.5 and they remained viable after 24 h; the main organic acid contributing to the pH decrease was lactic acid. Therefore, S. macedonicus is a good candida

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly worldwide, seriously endangering human health. Although SARS-CoV-2 had a lower impact on paediatric population, children with COVID-19 have been reported as suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at a higher rate than adults. The aim of this work was to evaluate faeces as a source of potential biomarkers of severity in the paediatric population, with an emphasis on intestinal microbiota and faecal immune mediators, trying to identify possible dysbiosis and immune intestinal dysfunction associated with the risk of hospitalization. This study involved 19 patients with COVID-19 under 24 months of age hospitalized during the pandemic at 6 different hospitals in Spain, and it included a comparable age-matched healthy control group (n = 18). Patients and controls were stratified according to their age in two groups: newborns or young infants (from 0 to 3 months old) and toddlers (infants from 6 to 24 months old). To characterize microbial intestinal communities, sequencing with Illumina technology of total 16S rDNA amplicons and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplicons of bifidobacteria were used. Faecal calprotectin (FC) and a range of human cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were measured in faecal samples using ELISA and a multiplex system. Significant reduction in the abundance of sequences belonging to the phylum Actinobacteria was found in those infants with COVID-19, as well as in the Bifidobacteriaceae family. A different pattern of bifidobacteria was observed in patients, mainly represented by lower percentages of Bifidobacterium breve, as compared with controls. In the group of hospitalized young infants, FC was almost absent compared to age-matched healthy controls. A lower prevalence in faecal excretion of immune factors in these infected patients was also observed.

El Instituto de Capacitación e Investigación del Plástico y el Caucho (ICIPC) es una entidad sin ánimo de lucro enfocada hacia la investigación y la innovación en productos y servicios de polímeros por medio de consultoría, investigación, laboratorio, capacitación y redes de conocimiento para varios sectores de la economía como, por ejemplo: automoción, construcción, empaques, alimentos y sostenibilidad, entre otros. En 2021 tiene como objetivo desarrollar la estrategia de la organización para el período 2021-2026 y para cumplirlo se utilizó el modelo EstraPyme, diseñado por Susana Álvarez Delgado y Santiago Zapata Correa en 2019 como trabajo de grado para obtener el título de magíster en Administración (MBA) en la Universidad EAFIT bajo la dirección de la profesora Luz María Rivas Montoya, que consiste en analizar la organización, la industria y las megatendencias mediante la utilización de herramientas del campo de la estrategia en el desarrollo de seis etapas definidas por el modelo. Para este caso específico, al final del ejercicio se definió enfocar el estudio hacia la línea de negocio de consultoría del ICIPC para la creación del lienzo de la propuesta de valor y del modelo de negocio., The ICIPC (Instituto de Capacitación e Investigación del Plástico y el Caucho) is a non-profit entity focused on research and innovation in polymer products and services through consulting, research, laboratory, training, and networks for several economic sectors such as automotive, construction, packaging, food, sustainability, among others. In 2021 it aims to work on the development of the organization's strategy for the 2021-2026 period, to comply with it, the EstraPyme model is used, designed by Susana Álvarez Delgado and Santiago Zapata Correa in 2019 as a project degree to obtain the Master in Business Administration (MBA) title on EAFIT University under direction of Luz María Rivas Montoya, Ph.D. which consists on analyze the organization, the industry and megatrends, by using tools from the strategy field in the development of six stages defined by the model. For this specific case, by the end of the activity, we decide to focus the study on the ICIPC consulting business line for the creation of the value proposition and the business model.

Colorectal cancer pathogenesis and progression is associated with the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and the reduction of acetylated derivatives of spermidine, as well as dietary components such as tannin-rich foods. We show that a new tannase orthologue of F. nucleatum (TanBFnn) has significant structural differences with its Lactobacillus plantarum counterpart affecting the flap covering the active site and the accessibility of substrates. Crystallographic and molecular dynamics analysis revealed binding of polyamines to a small cavity that connects the active site with the bulk solvent which interact with catalytically indispensable residues. As a result, spermidine and its derivatives, particularly N8-acetylated spermidine, inhibit the hydrolytic activity of TanBFnn and increase the toxicity of gallotannins to F. nucleatum. Our results support a model in which the balance between the detoxicant activity of TanBFnn and the presence of metabolic inhibitors can dictate either conducive or unfavourable conditions for the survival of F. nucleatum.

Little is known about the bacteria that reside in the human gallbladder and the mechanisms that allow them to survive within this harsh environment. Here we describe interactions between two strains from a human bile sample, one Ruminococcus gauvreauii (IPLA60001), belonging to the Lachnospiraceae family, and the other, designated as Ruminococcoides bili (IPLA60002; DSM 110008) most closely related to Ruminococcus bromii within the family Ruminococcaceae. We provide evidence for bile salt resistance and sporulation for these new strains. Both differed markedly in their carbohydrate metabolism. The R. bili strain mainly metabolized resistant starches to form formate, lactate and acetate. R. gauvreauii mainly metabolized sugar alcohols, including inositol and also utilized formate to generate acetate employing the Wood Ljungdahl pathway. Amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis genomic profiles also differed markedly between the two isolates, likely contributing to their synergistic interactions, as revealed by transcriptomic analysis of cocultures. Transcriptome analysis also revealed that R. gauvreauii IPLA60001 is able to grow using the end-products of starch metabolism formed by the R. bili strain such as formate, and potentially other compounds (such as ethanolamine and inositol) possibly provided by the autolytic behavior of R. bili.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating, and immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system caused by a combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. The incidence of MS has increased in the past several decades, suggesting changes in the environmental risk factors. Much effort has been made in the description of the gut microbiota in MS; however, little is known about the dysbiosis on its function. The microbiota produces thousands of biologically active substances among which are notable the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) excretion. Objectives: Analyze the interaction between microbiota, SCFAs, diet, and MS. Methods: 16S, nutritional questionnaires, and SCFAS quantification have been recovered from MS patients and controls. Results: Our results revealed an increment in the phylum Proteobacteria, especially the family Enterobacteriaceae, a lack in total SCFA excretion, and an altered profile of SCFAs in a Spanish cohort of MS patients. These alterations are more evident in patients with higher disability. Conclusions: The abundance of Proteobacteria and acetate and the low excretion of total SCFAs, especially butyrate, are common characteristics of MS patients, and besides, both are associated with a worse prognosis of the disease.

Traditionally, fermentation was used to preserve the shelf life of food. Currently, in addition to favouring food preservation, well standardized and controlled industrial processes are also aimed at improving the functional characteristics of the final product. In this regard, starter cultures have become an essential cornerstone of food production. The selection of robust microorganisms, well adapted to the food environment, has been followed by the development of microbial consortia that provide some functional characteristics, beyond their acidifying capacity, achieving safer, high-quality foods with improved nutritional and health-promoting properties. In addition to starters, adjunct cultures and probiotics, which normally do not have a relevant role in fermentation, are added to the food in order to provide some beneficial characteristics. This review focuses on highlighting the functional characteristics of food starters, as well as adjunct and probiotic cultures (mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria), with a specific focus on the synthesis of metabolites for preservation and safety aspects (e.g. bacteriocins), organoleptic properties (e.g. exopolysaccharides), nutritional (e.g. vitamins) and health improvement (e.g. neuroactive molecules). Literature reporting the application of these functional cultures in the manufacture of foods, mainly those related to dairy production, such as cheeses and fermented milks, has also been updated.