Cited by 3,028Gut microbiota and healthMicrobial Metabolites in Food BiotechnologyProbiotics and Fermented Foods

Formation of propionate and butyrate by the human colonic microbiota

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Louis, Petra, Flint, Harry J.·2017·Environmental Microbiology

Abstract

Summary: The human gut microbiota ferments dietary non‐digestible carbohydrates into short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA). These microbial products are utilized by the host and propionate and butyrate in particular exert a range of health‐promoting functions. Here an overview of the metabolic pathways utilized by gut microbes to produce these two SCFA from dietary carbohydrates and from amino acids resulting from protein breakdown is provided. This overview emphasizes the important role played by cross‐feeding of intermediary metabolites (in particular lactate, succinate and 1,2‐propanediol) between different gut bacteria. The ecophysiology, including growth requirements and responses to environmental factors, of major propionate and butyrate producing bacteria are discussed in relation to dietary modulation of these metabolites. A detailed understanding of SCFA metabolism by the gut microbiota is necessary to underpin effective strategies to optimize SCFA supply to the host.

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Authors
Louis, P., & Flint, H. J.
Affiliations
University of Aberdeen (GB)
Corresponding author
Louis, Petra
Venue
Environmental Microbiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-12-08
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
29-41
ISSN
  • 1462-2912 (ISSN-L)
  • 1462-2920
OpenAlex
W2550084345
Cited by
3,028
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 553 · 2025: 494 · 2024: 394 · 2023: 368 · 2022: 424 · 2021: 330 · 2020: 221 · 2019: 123 · 2018: 96 · 2017: 22
FWCI
7.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Environmental Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Aberdeen University Research Archive (Aberdeen University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (1227957)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Keywords
propionate, butyrate, short-chain fatty acids, human gut microbiome, colonic fermentation, non-digestible carbohydrates, amino acid fermentation, cross-feeding, lactate, succinic acid, propylene glycol, butyrate-producing bacteria, dietary modulation
MeSH terms
Eubacteriales, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Butyrates, Colon, Diet, Fermentation, Humans, Propionates, Ruminococcus, Lipid Metabolism

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