Degradation of complex arabinoxylans by human colonic Bacteroidetes

Human gut bacteria can degrade arabinoxylans, polysaccharides found in dietary fiber. Here, Pereira et al. identify a bacterial gene cluster encoding esterases for degradation of complex arabinoxylans. The action of these enzymes results in accumulation of ferulic acid, a phenolic compound with antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties.