Untargeted metabolomic analysis uncovers metabolic variability of four Bifidobacterial strains for probiotic development

Kailong Liu; Kailong Liu; Kailong Liu; Kailong Liu; Guoqiang Yao; Guoqiang Yao; Guoqiang Yao; Guoqiang Yao; Zhan Yang; Zhan Yang; Zhan Yang; Zhan Yang; Tian Huang; Tian Huang; Tian Huang; Tian Huang; Lai-Yu Kwok; Lai-Yu Kwok; Lai-Yu Kwok; Lai-Yu Kwok; Heping Zhang; Heping Zhang; Heping Zhang; Heping Zhang

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1522036

Frontiers in Microbiology (Jan 2025)

Untargeted metabolomic analysis uncovers metabolic variability of four Bifidobacterial strains for probiotic development

Kailong Liu,
Kailong Liu,
Kailong Liu,
Kailong Liu,
Guoqiang Yao,
Guoqiang Yao,
Guoqiang Yao,
Guoqiang Yao,
Zhan Yang,
Zhan Yang,
Zhan Yang,
Zhan Yang,
Tian Huang,
Tian Huang,
Tian Huang,
Tian Huang,
Lai-Yu Kwok,
Lai-Yu Kwok,
Lai-Yu Kwok,
Lai-Yu Kwok,
Heping Zhang,
Heping Zhang,
Heping Zhang,
Heping Zhang

Affiliations

Kailong Liu: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Kailong Liu: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Kailong Liu: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Kailong Liu: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Guoqiang Yao: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Guoqiang Yao: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Guoqiang Yao: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Guoqiang Yao: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Zhan Yang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Zhan Yang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Zhan Yang: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Zhan Yang: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Tian Huang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Tian Huang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Tian Huang: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Tian Huang: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Lai-Yu Kwok: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Lai-Yu Kwok: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Lai-Yu Kwok: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Lai-Yu Kwok: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Heping Zhang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Heping Zhang: Key Laboratory of Dairy Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Heping Zhang: Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Dairy Biotechnology and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
Heping Zhang: Collaborative Innovative Center for Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fermented Dairy Products, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1522036
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 16

Abstract

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Bifidobacterium species are essential members of the human gut microbiota, playing crucial roles in host health. Variations in the metabolic functions of different Bifidobacterium strains can have distinct health effects, making it essential to understand their metabolic characteristics for the development of targeted probiotic formulations. In this study, we cultivated four selected Bifidobacterium strains from three species: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-69, Bbm-19, Bifidobacterium brevis BX-18, and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis B8762. We conducted an untargeted comparative metabolomic analysis to investigate the intracellular metabolic profile and functional activities of these strains. A total of 1,340 metabolites were identified, revealing significant variations in their metabolomic profiles. Notably, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bbm-19 showed higher activity in amino acid biosynthesis, while Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-69 exhibited increased activity in secondary bile acid biosynthesis and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis B8762 demonstrated enhanced activity in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, vitamin digestion and absorption, and galactose metabolism. Bifidobacterium breve BX-18 was more active in tryptophan metabolism and pentose and glucuronate interconversions. Targeted analyses of specific metabolites further revealed strain-specific metabolic pathways. This study systematically elucidates the metabolic profile differences among the four investigated Bifidobacterium strains at the untargeted metabolomic level, providing valuable insights into their metabolic characteristics and potential applications in probiotic development.

Published in Frontiers in Microbiology

ISSN: 1664-302X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology

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