Search

absent

Reverse genetics, defined as ectopic candidate gene expression or silencing, has become an indispensable tool for functional dissection of traits of interest in forest trees. In maritime pine as in other conifers, long generation time and long life span, high genetic loads as well as high genetic redundancy are major obstacles to perform standard genetic approaches including association genetics. Validating marker associations with specific properties before transferring into breeding selection models is still challenging. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of maritime pine was first reported by Trontin et al. (2002) and developed in both France (FCBA, INRA) and Portugal (IBET) with sufficient refinement (reviewed in Trontin et al. 2007) to envisage practical application in reverse genetics as an attractive alternative to association studies. As a result, the technology has been recently implemented in French (GenoQB, 2006-2009) and transnational (Sustainpine, 2010-2013) or European initiatives (ProCoGen 2012-2016). Somatic embryogenesis (SE) was revealed as a key tissue culture system for achieving genetic transformation, easy cryopreservation of transgenic tissue and efficient transgenic plant regeneration in maritime pine. Much consideration is given in France, Portugal and Spain to apply SE as a clonal propagation system for maritime pine improvement and deployment strategies in multivarietal forestry (MVF, Park YS, reviewed in Klimaszewska et al. 2007). By using this technology it is expected that we will obtain greater genetic gain, high flexibility in deployment of tested embryogenic varieties and easy balancing of genetic gain and diversity in plantations. Both SE and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods developed at FCBA, INRA or IBET are being successfully transferred to different partners through running the Sustainpine project (http://www.scbi.uma.es/sustainpine/).

Understanding interindividual variability in response to dietary polyphenols remains essential to elucidate their effects on cardiometabolic disease development. A meta-analysis of 128 randomized clinical trials was conducted to investigate the effects of berries and red grapes/wine as sources of anthocyanins and of nuts and pomegranate as sources of ellagitannins on a range of cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. The potential influence of various demographic and lifestyle factors on the variability in the response to these products were explored. Both anthocyanin- and ellagitannin-containing products reduced total-cholesterol with nuts and berries yielding more significant effects than pomegranate and grapes. Blood pressure was significantly reduced by the two main sources of anthocyanins, berries and red grapes/wine, whereas waist circumference, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were most significantly lowered by the ellagitannin-products, particularly nuts. Additionally, we found an indication of a small increase in HDL-cholesterol most significant with nuts and, in flow-mediated dilation by nuts and berries. Most of these effects were detected in obese/overweight people but we found limited or non-evidence in normoweight individuals or of the influence of sex or smoking status. The effects of other factors, i.e., habitual diet, health status or country where the study was conducted, were inconsistent and require further investigation., This article is based upon work from COST Action FA1403—POSITIVe “Interindividual variation in response to consumption of plant food bioactives and determinants involved” supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost.eu/). The authors thank the financial support of the COST Action FA1403 “POSITIVe” to conduct a short-term scientific mission to K.C. at CEBAS-CSIC (A.G.-S. and M.T.G.-C.) during which the data analysis was performed.

Bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods, and their metabolites derived from gut microbiota and endogenous metabolism, represent thousands of chemical structures of potential interest for human nutrition and health. State-of-the-art analytical methodologies, including untargeted metabolomics based on high-resolution mass spectrometry, are required for the profiling of these compounds in complex matrices, including plant food materials and biofluids. The aim of this project was to compare the analytical coverage of untargeted metabolomics methods independently developed and employed in various European platforms. In total, 56 chemical standards representing the most common classes of bioactive compounds spread over a wide chemical space were selected and analyzed by the participating platforms (n = 13) using their preferred untargeted method. The results were used to define analytical criteria for a successful analysis of plant food bioactives. Furthermore, they will serve as a basis for an optimized consensus method., This research was funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Agency AGAUR (grant number 2017 SGR 1546), the Spanish MINECO´s “Juan de la Cierva” programme (grant number FJCI-2015-26590), Spanish National Programme for Research Aimed at the Challenges of Society (AGL2016-76832-R), the Czech Science Foundation (grant number 18-00132S), the European Structural and Investment Funds (grant agreement No. VEKOP-2.3.3-15-2017-00022), and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (grant number LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-402-022125). Networking support was provided by the COST Action FA1403 POSITIVe (Inter-individual variation in response to consumption of plant food bioactives and determinants involved), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).

The microbial community structure of anodic biofilms plays a key role in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Bacteria composing these biofilms confer different capabilities to the system to convert organic matter into electrical current, using the anode as sole electron sink. As complex ecosystems are generally used as inoculum, many bacterial species having interconnected ecological interactions are present which makes more complex the elucidation of their exact role in these systems. Thus, the aim of the present study was to identify the key bacteria for the conversion of single short chain acids into electrical current. Here, two-compartment labscale microbial electrolysis cells were inoculated with the same activated sludge. Batch tests were operated in quadruplicate, at the same time, and were fed with four different substrates: acetate, lactate, butyrate and propionate, at 80 mMe- equivalents. Biofilm and planktonic communities were analyzed at the end of the batch operation. Mainly, the anodic biofilms were dominated by the Geobacter genus (62.41% of the total sequences) known to be electroactive. At the species level, Geobacter sulfurreducens dominated in presence of lactate and acetate, while other species such as Geobacter toluenoxydans and Geobacter pelophilus were present when fed with butyrate and propionate. These results indicate for the first time a specificity within the Geobacter genus compared to the electron donor, suggesting in one hand that a competitive process occurred for electrode colonization and in the other hand that syntrophic interactions are necessary for the complete oxidation of substrates such as propionate and butyrate. All together, these results provide a new insight into the ecological relationships within electroactive biofilms and suggest eco-engineering perspectives to improve the performances of BESs.

In the present work, interspecies electron transfer (IET) between fermentative and electro-active species was investigated using Geobacter sulfurreducens and Clostridium pasteurianum as model microorganisms in co-culture experiments1. In a fermentation medium containing glycerol and acetate as substrates, G. sulfurreducens was able to grow using C. pasteurianum as sole electron acceptor. As a result, C. pasteurianum fermentation pattern was significantly altered compared to pure culture controls. Indeed, 1,3-propanediol and butyrate production were both improved at the expense of butanol and ethanol. Interestingly, C. pasteurianum growth yield decreased by almost 40% in co-cultures despite a theoretical ATP production (i.e. calculated from metabolic patterns) being 8.4% higher in co-culture compared to C. pasteurianum pure culture. To better understand such drop in biomass yield, energetics of IET between electro-active and fermentative species was theoretically explored using a thermodynamical model. Although this approach could predict an IET-mediated parasitism when fermentative species acts as electron-accepting microorganism, it failed to explain the drastic biomass yield decrease observed experimentally, thus suggesting that more complex biological regulations were implicated. While fundamental principles are still to be elucidated, IET-mediated parasitism could be a promising way to optimize carbon recovery during fermentations by both reducing biomass production and improving metabolite yields of value-added compounds such as 1,3-propanediol.

This article is based upon work from COST Action FA1403-POSITIVe "Interindividual variation in response to consumption of plant food bioactives and determinants involved" supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost.eu/). The authors thank the financial support of the COST Action FA1403 "POSITIVe" to conduct two short-term scientific missions to P.P. and A.G.-S. at the University of Glasgow (E.C.) during which the data analysis was performed, and to M.G.-A at the University College Dublin (E.G.) during which the protocol was developed. A.G.-S. is holder of a "Juan de la Cierva" contract from MINECO (Spain). S.P.-D. is in receipt of a CONACyT scholarship. T.R. and V.M. are supported by the Fund for scientific research of Goce Delcev University, Stip. RM acknowledges iNOVA4Health Research Unit (LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007344), which is cofunded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia/Ministerio da Ciencia e do Ensino Superior, through national funds, and by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. C.A.-L. thanks the grant PCIN-2014-133 (FoodBAll project) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) within the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Diet for Healthy Life (JPI-HDHL); Several epidemiological studies have linked flavonols with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, some heterogeneity in the individual physiological responses to the consumption of these compounds has been identified. This meta‐analysis aimed to study the effect of flavonol supplementation on biomarkers of CVD risk such as, blood lipids, blood pressure and plasma glucose, as well as factors affecting their inter‐individual variability. Data from 18 human randomized controlled trials were pooled and the effect was estimated using fixed or random effects meta‐analysis model and reported as difference in means (DM). Variability in the response of blood lipids to supplementation with flavonols was assessed by stratifying various population subgroups: age, sex, country, and health status. Results showed significant reductions in total cholesterol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.01), LDL cholesterol (DM = −0.14 mmol/L; Nutrients 2017, 9, 117 2 of 21 95% CI: −0.21, 0.07), and triacylglycerol (DM = −0.10 mmol/L; 95% CI: −0.18, 0.03), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (DM = 0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07). A significant reduction was also observed in fasting plasma glucose (DM = −0.18 mmol/L; 95%CI: −0.29, −0.08), and in blood pressure (SBP: DM = −4.84 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.64, −4.04; DBP: DM = −3.32 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.09, -2.55). Subgroup analysis showed a more pronounced effect of flavonol intake in participants from Asian countries and in participants with diagnosed disease or dyslipidemia, compared to healthy and normal baseline values. In conclusion, flavonol consumption improved biomarkers of CVD risk, however, country of origin and health status may influence the effect of flavonol intake on blood lipid levels

National audience

Support: ANR Project ALIA-007-PhenoMeNEp; COST Action FA 1403 POSITIVe; JPI HDHL FoodBAll projectSupport: ANR Project ALIA-007-PhenoMeNEp; COST Action FA 1403 POSITIVe; JPI HDHL FoodBAll project; PhytoHub V1.4: A new release for the online database dedicated to food phytochemicals and their human metabolites. The 1. International Conference on Food Bioactives & Health

International audience; Tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses load their capsids with DNA through a tunnel formed by the portal protein assembly. Here we describe the X-ray structure of the bacteriophage SPP1 portal protein in its isolated 13-subunit form and the pseudoatomic structure of a 12-subunit assembly. The first defines the DNA-interacting segments ( tunnel loops) that pack tightly against each other forming the most constricted part of the tunnel; the second shows that the functional dodecameric state must induce variability in the loop positions. Structural observations together with geometrical constraints dictate that in the portal-DNA complex, the loops form an undulating belt that fits and tightly embraces the helical DNA, suggesting that DNA translocation is accompanied by a 'mexican wave' of positional and conformational changes propagating sequentially along this belt.

Although yield and total biomass produced by annual legumes remain major objectives for breeders, other issues such as environment-friendly, resource use efficiency including symbiotic performance, resilient production in the context of climate change, adaptation to sustainable cropping systems (reducing leaching, greenhouse gas emissions and pesticide residues), adaptation to diverse uses (seeds for feed, food, non-food, forage or green manure) and finally new ecological services such as pollinator protection, imply the need for definition of new ideotypes and development of innovative genotypes to enhance their commercialization. Taken as a whole, this means more complex and integrated objectives for breeders. Several illustrations will be given of breeding such complex traits for different annual legume species. Genetic diversity for root development and for the ability to establish efficient symbioses with rhizobia and mycorrhiza can contribute to better resource management (N, P, water). Shoot architectures and phenologies can contribute to yield and biotic constraint protection (parasitic weeds, diseases or insects) reducing pesticide use. Variable maturity periods and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses are key features for the introduction of annual legumes to low input cropping systems and for enlarging cultivated area. Adaptation to intercropping requires adapted genotypes. Improved health and nutritional value for humans are key objectives for developing new markets. Modifying product composition often requires the development of specific cultivars and sometimes the need to break negative genetic correlations with yield. A holistic approach in legume breeding is important for defining objectives with farmers, processors and consumers. The cultivar structures are likely to be more complex, combining genotypes, plant species and associated symbionts. New tools to build and evaluate them are important if legumes are to deliver their exciting potential in terms of agricultural productivity and sustainability as well as for feed and food.

National audience

Article fédérateur entre toutes les équipes Européennes travaillant sur le pin maritime. Assemblage du transcriptome des données venant de France (INRA Orléans + INRA Pierroton) + Espagne + Portugal = projet Sustainpine; International audience; Maritime pine (Pinus pinasterAit.) is a widely distributed conifer species in Southwestern Europe and one of the most advanced models for conifer research. In the current work, comprehensive characterization of the maritime pine transcriptome was performed using a combination of two different next-generation sequencing platforms, 454 and Illumina. De novo assembly of the transcriptome provided a catalogue of 26 020 unique transcripts in maritime pine trees and a collection of 9641 full-length cDNAs. Quality of the transcriptome assembly was validated by RT-PCR amplification of selected transcripts for structural and regulatory genes. Transcription factors and enzyme-encoding transcripts were annotated. Furthermore, the available sequencing data permitted the identification of polymorphisms and the establishment of robust single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and simple-sequence repeat (SSR) databases for genotyping applications and integration of translational genomics in maritime pine breeding programmes. All our data are freely available at SustainpineDB, the P. pinaster expressional database. Results reported here on the maritime pine transcriptome represent a valuable resource for future basic and applied studies on this ecological and economically important pine species.

Despite the existence of various virulence factors in theEnterococcusgenus, enterococcal virulence is still a debated issue. A main consideration is the detection of the same virulence genes in strains isolated from nosocomial or community-acquired infections, and from food products. The goal of this study was to evaluate the roles of two well-characterized enterococcal virulence factors, Fsr and gelatinase, in the potential virulence ofEnterococcus faecalisfood strains. Virulence of unrelatedEnterococcusisolates, including dairy strains carryingfsrandgelEoperons, was compared in theGalleria mellonellainsect model.E. faecalisdairy strains were able to kill larvae and were as virulent as strain OG1RF, one of the most widely used for virulence studies. In contrast,Enterococcus duransandEnterococcus faeciumstrains were avirulent or poorly virulent forG. mellonella. To evaluate the role offsrBandgelEin virulence ofE. faecalisdairy strains, both genes were deleted independently in two strains. The ΔfsrBand ΔgelEdeletion mutants both produced a gelatinase-negative phenotype. Although both mutations significantly attenuated virulence inG. mellonella, the ΔfsrBstrains were more strongly attenuated. These results agree with previous findings suggesting the involvement offsrBin the control of other cell functions relevant to virulence. Our work demonstrates that the presence of functionalfsrB, and to a lesser extentgelE, in dairy enterococci should be considered with caution.

After penetrating the host cell, the herpesvirus capsid is transported to the nucleus along the microtubule network and docks to the nuclear pore complex before releasing the viral DNA into the nucleus. The viral and cellular interactions involved in the docking process are poorly characterized. However, the minor capsid protein pUL25 has recently been reported to be involved in viral DNA uncoating. Here we show that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) capsids interact with the nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 in infected cells and that RNA silencing of CAN/Nup214 delays the onset of viral DNA replication in the nucleus. We also show that pUL25 interacts with CAN/Nup214 and another nucleoporin, hCG1, and binds to the pUL36 and pUL6 proteins, two other components of the herpesvirus particle that are known to be important for the initiation of infection and viral DNA release. These results identify CAN/Nup214 as being a nuclear receptor for the herpesvirus capsid and pUL25 as being an interface between incoming capsids and the nuclear pore complex and as being a triggering element for viral DNA release into the nucleus.

International audience; Rotavirus virus-like particles (RV-VLPs) represent a novel strategy for development of a rotavirus subunit vaccine. In this study, RF 8-2/6/7-VLPs with rotavirus VP8 protein (amino acid 1-241 of VP4) fused to the amino terminal end of a truncated VP2, were evaluated for their immunogenic and protective properties. A single intramuscular dose of, either 2 or 20 mu g, RF 8-2/6/7-VLPs alone or combined with a potent adjuvant poly[ di(carboxylatophenoxy)]phosphazene] (PCPP) induced rotavirus-specific serum IgG and IgA, fecal IgG titers that were enhanced 5-90-fold by adjuvant. Passive protective immunity was achieved in offspring to dams vaccinated with 2 and 20 mu g RV-VLPs in presence of adjuvant and 20 mu g RV-VLP without adjuvant.

Publication Inra prise en compte dans l'analyse bibliométrique des publications scientifiques mondiales sur les Fruits, les Légumes et la Pomme de terre. Période 2000-2012. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/256699; The strategies used by nectarine trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch, var. Silver King) to cope with high light and high temperature/vapour pressure deficit conditions were evaluated in field-grown plants in central Portugal. Diurnal time courses of gas exchange rates and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured "in situ" in attached leaves of well-watered or mild water-stressed plants under summer conditions. CO, assimilation rate (A.) and stomatal conductance (g,) of well-watered trees decreased along the day in response to high temperature and vapour pressure deficit. Soil water deficit increased the sensitivity of leaf gas exchange to summer atmospheric conditions; A. and g, exhibited important midday depressions under water shortage. During the day, the quantum yield of PSH electron transport in the light (phi(e)), the electron transport rate (ETR), the intrinsic efficiency of open PSII reaction centers (F'(v) /F'(m)), the photochemical quenching (q(p)) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll fluorescence remained constant in well-watered trees, in spite of some decrease in stomatal conductance in the afternoon. Water stress induced after midday a large, but reversible, decrease of phi 5, F'(v) / F'(m) and ETR, and an increase in NPQ. Simultaneously, an increase in ETR/A,, was observed. Since water stress led to a reduction in the number of PSH centers that remain open after midday, as indicated by the decrease in qp, the contribution of thermal de-excitation at PSH (given by NPQ) in the protection against photoinhibition became more important in stressed trees. The increase in ETR/A(n) suggests that in water stressed plants the excitation energy in the photosynthetic apparatus, that would normally be consumed via CO, assimilation, is partially diverted to the photosynthetic reduction of 0,, via photorespiration, Mehler-peroxidase reaction or the water-water cycle. Although electrons not consumed in photosynthetic process may generate active oxygen species, this is not likely to occur in water-stressed nectarine leaves, since chlorophyll concentrations were not decreased (there was no chlorophyll bleaching) and the maximum potential PSH efficiency (estimated through the pre-dawn F-v / F-m ratio) remained high, which are symptoms of no PSII damage.

Leonor Oliveira, Supported by a post-doctoral fellowship from the European Molecular Biology Organization and from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Ministério da Ciência e Ensino Superior, Portugal; International audience; DNA packaging in tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses requires assembly of a complex molecular machine at a specific vertex of a preformed procapsid. As in all these viruses, the DNA translocation motor of bacteriophage SPP1 is composed of the portal protein (gp6) that provides a tunnel for DNA entry into the procapsid and of the viral ATPase (gp1-gp2 complex) that fuels DNA translocation. Here we studied the cross-talk between the components of the motor to control its ATP consumption and DNA encapsidation. We showed that gp6 embedded in the procapsid structure stimulated more than 10-fold the gp2 ATPase activity. This stimulation, which was significantly higher than the one conferred by isolated gp6, depended on the presence of gp1. Mutations in different regions of gp6 abolished or decreased the gp6-induced stimulation of the ATPase. This effect on gp2 activity was observed both in the presence and in the absence of DNA and showed a strict correlation with the efficiency of DNA packaging into procapsids containing the mutant portals. Our results demonstrated that the portal protein has an active control over the viral ATPase activity that correlates with the performance of the DNA packaging motor.

Several Lathyrus species and in particular Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) have great agronomic potential as grain and forage legume, especially in drought conditions. Grass pea is rightly considered as one of the most promising sources of calories and protein for the vast and expanding populations of drought-prone and marginal areas of Asia and Africa. It is virtually the only species that can yield high protein food and feed under these conditions. It is superior in yield, protein value, nitrogen fixation, and drought, flood and salinity tolerance than other legume crops. Lathyrus species have a considerable potential in crop rotation, improving soil physical conditions; reducing the amount of disease and weed populations, with the overall reduction of production costs. Grass pea was already in use in Neolithic times, and presently is considered as a model crop for sustainable agriculture. As a result of the little breeding effort invested in it compared to other legumes, grass pea cultivation has shown a regressive pattern in many areas in recent decades. This is due to variable yield caused by sensitivity to diseases and stress factors and above all, to the presence of the neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), increasing the danger of genetic erosion. However, both L. sativus and L. cicera are gaining interest as grain legume crops in Mediterranean-type environments and production is increasing in Ethiopia, China, Australia and several European countries. This paper reviews research work on Lathyrus breeding focusing mainly on biotic and abiotic resistance improvement, and lists current developments in biotechnologies to identify challenges for Lathyrus improvement in the future.

International audience; The gene encoding Desulfovibrio gigas flavoredoxin was deleted to elucidate its physiological role in the sulfate metabolism. Disruption of flr gene strongly inhibited the reduction of thiosulfate and exhibited a reduced growth in the presence of sulfite with lactate as electron donor. The growth with sulfate was not however affected by the lack of this protein. Additionally, flr mutant cells revealed a decrease of about 50% in the H2 consumption rate using thiosulfate as electron acceptor. Altogether, our results show in vivo that during sulfite respiration, trithionate and thiosulfate are produced and that flavoredoxin is specific for thiosulfate reduction.

International audience; Wood is one of our most important natural resources. Surprisingly, we know hardly anything about the details of the process of wood formation. The aim of this work was to describe the main proteins expressed in wood forming tissue of a conifer species (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Using high resolution 2-DE with linear pH gradient ranging from 4 to 7, a total of 1039 spots were detected. Out of the 240 spots analyzed by MS/MS, 67.9% were identified, 16.7% presented no homology in the databases, and 15.4% corresponded to protein mixtures. Out of the 57 spots analyzed by MALDI-MS, only 15.8% were identified. Most of the 175 identified proteins play a role in either defense (19.4%), carbohydrates (16.6%) and amino acid (14.9%) metabolisms, genes and proteins expression (13.1%), cytoskeleton (8%), cell wall biosynthesis (5.7%), secondary (5.1%) and primary (4%) metabolisms. A summary of the identified proteins, their putative functions, and behavior in different types of wood are presented. This information was introduced into the PROTICdb database and is accessible at http://cbib1.cbib.u-bordeaux2.fr/Protic/Protic/home/index.php. Finally, the average protein amount was compared with their respective transcript abundance as quantified through EST counting in a cDNA-library constructed with mRNA extracted from wood forming tissue

International audience

// Didier Remond 1, 2 , Danit R. Shahar 3 , Doreen Gille 4 , Paula Pinto 5, 6 , Josefa Kachal 7 , Marie-Agnes Peyron 1, 2 , Claudia Nunes Dos Santos 6, 8 , Barbara Walther 4 , Alessandra Bordoni 9 , Didier Dupont 10 , Lidia Tomas-Cobos 11 , Guy Vergeres 4 1 UMR 1019, UNH, CRNH Auvergne, INRA, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France 2 Clermont Universite, Universite d’Auvergne, Unite de Nutrition Humaine, BP 10448, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France 3 Department of Public Health, The S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer-Sheva, Israel 4 Institute for Food Sciences IFS, Agroscope, Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, 3003 Berne, Switzerland 5 Escola Superior Agraria, Insituto Politecnico de Santarem, 2001-904 Santarem, Portugal 6 Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal 7 Israeli Ministry of Health, 93591 Jerusalem, Israel 8 Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnologica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal 9 Department of Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy 10 UMR 1253, Science et Technologie du Lait & de l’Œuf, INRA, 35000 Rennes, France 11 ainia Centro Tecnologico, E46980 Paterna (Valencia), Spain Correspondence to: Guy Vergeres, e-mail: guy.vergeres@agroscope.admin.ch Keywords: malnutrition, gastrointestinal tract, aging, dietary solutions, gerotarget Received: May 06, 2015 Accepted: May 13, 2015 Published: May 27, 2015 ABSTRACT Although the prevalence of malnutrition in the old age is increasing worldwide a synthetic understanding of the impact of aging on the intake, digestion, and absorption of nutrients is still lacking. This review article aims at filling the gap in knowledge between the functional decline of the aging gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the consequences of malnutrition on the health status of elderly. Changes in the aging GIT include the mechanical disintegration of food, gastrointestinal motor function, food transit, chemical food digestion, and functionality of the intestinal wall. These alterations progressively decrease the ability of the GIT to provide the aging organism with adequate levels of nutrients, what contributes to the development of malnutrition. Malnutrition, in turn, increases the risks for the development of a range of pathologies associated with most organ systems, in particular the nervous-, muscoskeletal-, cardiovascular-, immune-, and skin systems. In addition to psychological, economics, and societal factors, dietary solutions preventing malnutrition should thus propose dietary guidelines and food products that integrate knowledge on the functionality of the aging GIT and the nutritional status of the elderly. Achieving this goal will request the identification, validation, and correlative analysis of biomarkers of food intake, nutrient bioavailability, and malnutrition.