Abstract
The relationship between diet and the diversity and function of the intestinal microbiome and its importance for human health is currently the subject of many studies. The type and proportion of microorganisms found in the intestines can determine the energy balance of the host. Intestinal microorganisms perform many important functions, one of which is participation in metabolic processes, e.g., in the production of short-chain fatty acids—SCFAs (also called volatile fatty acids). These acids represent the main carbon flow from the diet to the host microbiome. Maintaining intestinal balance is necessary to maintain the host’s normal health and prevent many diseases. The results of many studies confirm the beneficial effect of probiotic microorganisms on the balance of the intestinal microbiome and produced metabolites, including SCFAs. The aim of this review is to summarize what is known on the effects of probiotics on the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut microbes. In addition, the mechanism of formation and properties of these metabolites is discussed and verified test results confirming the effectiveness of probiotics in human nutrition by modulating SCFAs production by intestinal microbiome is presented.
Highlights
The most attention in research on human microbiome is devoted to the analysis of the diversity of microorganisms present in the digestive system, especially in the intestines
Maintaining the balance of the intestinal microbiome is crucial for maintaining normal human health and preventing many diseases
The concentration of short-chain fatty fatty acids acids (SCFAs) depends on the composition and size of the population of intestinal microorganisms, genetic factors, environmental factors and the diet conditioning access to appropriate substrates
Summary
The most attention in research on human microbiome is devoted to the analysis of the diversity of microorganisms present in the digestive system, especially in the intestines. The intestinal microbiome supports the biotransformation of numerous chemical compounds Due to their metabolic abilities, intestinal microorganisms enable the transformation of complex nutrients, such as plant cell wall components (cellulose, pectin, hemicellulose, lignin) and mucins into simple sugars that are fermented to form short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, mainly acetate, propionate and butyrate) [1]. The composition of the intestinal microbiota was found to be different in people with obesity than in people of normal weight [16] This is confirmed, among others, by studies in which Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was found to be the most abundant (about 5% of the bacterial population) in the intestines of healthy adults, while overweight people had a higher number of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and a lower number of Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia and F. prausnitzii [17]. The combinations of probiotics with prebiotics (called synbiotics) are able to shift the predominant bacteria and the production of SCFAs of fecal microorganisms in a model system of the human colon [27]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
