Short-chain fatty acids as biomarkers monitoring diet and environment effect on gut microbiota

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) are important gut microbiota metabolites known for their beneficial effects on the host organism. They can be considered as biomarkers of the health state of an individual since their production is associated with a good microbiota state, intestinal transition time and with an optimal diet, rich in dietary fibers and low in fats [1]. The presence of SCFAs in the intestinal tract has demonstrated several advantages, e.g. lowering luminal pH, favoring nutrients absorption and reducing the formation of some pathogens associated with diseases such as bowel disorders, colon cancer and metabolic problems [2]. An analytical method has been optimized, including a rapid sample preparation with ethyl ether extraction of SCFAs after acidification of the fecal sample with sulfuric acid, followed by gas chromatographic analysis [3]. The method is being applied to several projects dealing with the assessment of the effect of specific diets or mobility and environment, on gut microbiota. The method and preliminary results from the applications will be presented. [1] Rios Coviàn D, Ruas-Madiedo P, Margolles A, Gueimonde M, de los Reyes-Gaviliàn CG, Salazar N. Intestinal short chain fatty acid and their link with diet and human health, Front. Microbiol. 2016; 7(185). [2] den Besten G, Van Eunen K, Groen AK, Venema K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM. The role of short chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. J. Lip. Res. 2013; 54(9):2325-2340. [3] Scortichini S, Boarelli MC, Silvi S, Fiorini D. Development and Validation of a GC-FID Method for the Analysis of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Rat and Human Faeces and Fermentation Fluids. J. Chromatogr. B 2020; 1143 (121972).