Differential sulfoquinovose degradation by mouse and human gut microbiota

This study investigated the metabolism of sulfoquinovose (SQ) by the mammalian host and its degradation by gut microbiota in humans and mice. To examine SQ degradation, human fecal microcosms were amended with varying SQ concentrations (10, 1, 0.1, 0.01 mM), while mouse gut content microcosms were supplemented with 10 mM SQ or its degradation product, 2,3-dihydroxy-1-propanesulfonate. Subsamples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to assess microbial community composition. Additionally, conventional C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with 10 mg or 1 mg SQ, with fecal samples collected over time and analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. This work enhances our understanding of how specific dietary compounds like SQ shape the gut microbiota and influence host health. Sequencing was performed at the Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna under the project IDs JMF-2012-6, JMF-2108-01, and JMF-2212-09.