Studies on the gut microbiota composition and correlations with the diet to improve health
A myriad of prokaryotes and microeukaryotes reside in the gut, contributing significantly to the health through their varied functions and interactions. A well-balanced gut microbiota composition (GMC) plays a pivotal role by producing essential elements like vitamins and secondary metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, to sustain the host. The impact of diet on GMC is a crucial factor that changes with specific host pathologies.
We study the intricate correlations between diet and human GMC, employing metagenomic analysis of faecal samples. These correlations are contingent upon the conditions of the studied population. We are currently investigating a population of Zanzibar (Tanzania), that is under attention of the WHO for children malnutrition and stunting. Despite the abundant natural food resources in the area, they remain underutilized by the local population, being predominantly exported for commercial purposes. Therefore, many mothers and children follow an unbalanced and insufficient diet.
Through a detailed characterization of the correlations between food and GMC of mothers and children in varied conditions, including helminthiasis endemic to the region, our aim is to identify sustainable dietary options and potential probiotics. This fosters beneficial microbe development, enhancing health and antihelminth-treatment efficacy, that is known to be linked to a healthy GMC.
Keywords - ENGLISH
microbiome, metagenomics, food correlations, helminth infections, malnutrition in Africa
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Aristide Toussaint Nguele; Angela Piersanti; Cristina Miceli
External Collaborations
1)Matteo Mozzicafreddo, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche; 2)Hongliang Chen, Jilin Agricultural University (China); 3)Salum Seif Salum, State University of Zanzibar (Tanzania); 4)Said M Ali, Public Health Laboratory Ivo De Carneri, Pemba (Tanzania); 5) Junjie Zhang, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (China)
Pillar
Nutrition and Food
Macroareas in Nutrition & Food
Nutrition
Relevant research grants (national/international) funding specifically this Research Line
Erasmus+ Programme, Grant Agreement number: 2020-1-IT02-KA107-077890, now under resubmission as KA171; FAR UNICAM-JAU
Email Address
cristina.miceli@unicam.it
Link to Relevant Publications