Impact of folate forms on gut microbes

Folate (vitamin B9) is an essential B-vitamin for the growth of some gut microbes. Folates occur naturally as tetrahydrofolate (THF), methyl-tetrahydrofolate (M-THF), and formyl-tetrahydrofolate (F-THF), and as dietary synthetic form (folic acid). Folate auxotrophy i.e., the inability to produce folates needed for own growth or metabolism is known for several gut microbes including butyrate-producing R. intestinalis L1-82. However, it is unclear whether different folate forms impact the growth and metabolism of R. intestinalis L1-82.