To quantify the effect of broccoli consumption on the diversity and metabolism of the gut microbiota, with focus on sulphate reducing bacteria
Lead Research Organisation:
QUADRAM INSTITUTE BIOSCIENCE
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The human gut microbiota is extremely complex with more than 1000 different bacterial species composition and metabolic activity of which has significant impact on the host health. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables has been correlated with numerous health benefits. The bioavailability of the chemicals present in such foods and the nature of the impact on the host is dependent on their absorption but also their biotransformation by gut microbiota to products which may be more bioactive. In addition, the metabolism of many of the dietary components that reach the colon will impact on the composition and activities of the gut microbiota. In this project we aim to focus on consumption of broccoli that is rich in sulphates and sulphur containing bioactives particularly the glucosinolates. The key questions we will address are (a) What is the impact of broccoli consumption on the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota? The faecal samples collected during human intervention studies will be assessed using culture independent microbial profiling methods (FISH, QPCR, pyrosequencing) and metabolomics using proton NMR to obtain a comprehensive information on modulation and metabolic activity of total gut bacteria and (b) What is the response of gut microbiota to sulphates and defined sulphur containing dietary components? In vitro colon model systems that replicate the microbial and physiological condition of the large intestine will be utilised to assess the biotransformation of sulphur compounds. We will measure the effect of such chemicals on the diversity and metabolic activity of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) which are an important component of the gut microbiota associated with production of toxigenic hydrogen sulphides that adversely affect the gut health.
Planned Impact
unavailable
People |
ORCID iD |
| Arjan Narbad (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Cebeci F
(2022)
Molecular Cloning, Expression and Characterisation of a Bacterial Myrosinase from Citrobacter Wye1.
in The protein journal
Kellingray L
(2021)
Effects of in vitro metabolism of a broccoli leachate, glucosinolates and S-methylcysteine sulphoxide on the human faecal microbiome.
in European journal of nutrition
Kellingray L
(2017)
Consumption of a diet rich in Brassica vegetables is associated with a reduced abundance of sulphate-reducing bacteria: A randomised crossover study.
in Molecular nutrition & food research
Luang-In V
(2015)
Identification of Proteins Possibly Involved in Glucosinolate Metabolism in L. agilis R16 and E. coli VL8.
in The protein journal
Luang-In V
(2016)
Glucosinolate and Desulfo-glucosinolate Metabolism by a Selection of Human Gut Bacteria.
in Current microbiology
Luang-In V
(2014)
The metabolism of methylsulfinylalkyl- and methylthioalkyl-glucosinolates by a selection of human gut bacteria.
in Molecular nutrition & food research
Narbad A
(2018)
Gut Glucosinolate Metabolism and Isothiocyanate Production.
in Molecular nutrition & food research
Oguntoyinbo FA
(2012)
Molecular characterization of lactic acid bacteria and in situ amylase expression during traditional fermentation of cereal foods.
in Food microbiology
Oguntoyinbo FA
(2016)
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum BFE 5092 Isolated from Maasai Fermented Milk.
in Genome announcements
Petropoulou K
(2016)
Identifying crop variants with high resistant starch content to maintain healthy glucose homeostasis
in Nutrition Bulletin
| Description | Sulphur-rich glucosinolates are found in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, and can be metabolised by myrosinases to form bioactive compounds (ITCs) with potential beneficial effects on the host. It has been reported that some gut bacteria require a reduction step to metabolise methylsulfinylalkyl glucosinolates (such as glucoraphanin) that converts them into methylthioalkyl glucosinolates (such as glucoerucin) to produce ITCs. To identify the responsible reductase, candidate reductase genes were cloned and expressed in E. coli. Methionine sulfoxide reductase B (MsrB) from Escherichia coli VL8 and Lactobacillus agilis R16 was found to reduce glucoraphanin to glucoerucin under the conditions tested. A bacterial myrosinase of Citrobacter WYE1 of soil origin was previously identified and myrosinase activity of this enzyme was characterised using cell-free extracts. In this study the myrosinase gene was heterologously expressed in E. coli to allow purification and characterisation. The recombinant enzyme showed activity against several glucosinolate substrates and protein was produced for crystallographic studies. This was the first evidence of human gut bacteria able to metabolise S-methylcysteine sulphoixide (SMCSO) |
| Exploitation Route | Global understanding of the effect of dietary sulphur on gut bacteria and their metabolism on the host health will point to new directions for intervention studies particularly in IBD patients where knowledge led personalised nutrition may alleviate the disease symptoms. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare |
| Description | Epidemiology studies have consistently shown that consumption of a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli reduces incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The health-promoting properties of these vegetables are largely attributed to their S-containing compounds and their degradation products. In this project we are studying the S-compounds found in broccoli on the gut microbiota and how the gut bacteria are able to biotransform these sulphur containing bioactive molecules. So far we have isolated a range bacterial species that can convert glucosinolates to the more bioactive compounds Isothiocyanates. We are now undertaking detailed characterization of these bacteria to understand the molecular mechanism involved. We will look at the impact of such bacteria on the the gut microbiota and biotransformation of dietary S-compounds |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Fermented seaweed based novel feed additives - SEAFEED |
| Amount | € 490,000 (EUR) |
| Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Hungary |
| Start | 01/2019 |
| End | 01/2020 |
| Description | BIA Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Arjan Narbad, Lindsay Hall and Alan Walker gave a live BIA webinar to industry members. the webinar was then published on You tube that everyone can access. The title of the Webinar was Developing, feeding and restoring the human microbiome' where Dr Lindsay Hall explained 'Early Life Microbiota' , Dr Alana Walker presented 'Diet and the gut microbiota' and Professor Arjan Narbad gave a presentation on 'Restoring the gut microbiome using FMT' more than 370 people have now seen the webinar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtcoxvQvG34 |
| Description | Student Science Showcase, Norwich |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Saskia Neuert (PhD student) gave a poster entitled 'Whole Genome Sequencing to Predict Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella enterica' at the annual Student Science Showcase to all PhD students and researchers at Quadram Institute Bioscience. There were several sessions where Saskia stood at her poster explaining her work, answering questions, and discussing ideas for the future of her project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | University of 3rd age (Norwich) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was one of a series of lectures on the work being performed at the institute, which were given to approxiamately30 members of an international organisation called the University of the Third Age. This group consists of retired members of the public who still wish to be educated and stimulated. The team member discussed her work which is directly funded by this award, and participated in an open discussion following the presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Volunteer at Norwich Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Saskia Neuert (PhD student) volunteered for the Norwich Science Festival. This entailed helping with the running of the event, answering science-related questions, and discussing the research associated with this award (as well as other scientific topics) to a mixed audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/about/norwich-science-festival-2017/ |