Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors investigated the influence of Lactococcus petauri CF11 on gut microbiome composition and the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in-vivo. The results show that the strain CF11 was able to induce a higher amount of fecal acetic acid and propionic acid and enhance species richness. The author further shows that there was an improvement in the gut microbiota community structure. Hence, the authors suggested that the SCFAs-producing strain CF11 is a potential probiotic. However, I have some comments:

1. The English of the manuscript needs significant improvement
2. The interpretation of the results should be clear to the reader
3. The biological implication of the results should be stated clearly where applicable
4. I suggest that Figures 1 and 2 can be merged into one figure panel
5. (Figure 1) Is the butyrate in C and T not significant because the T is about 2-fold compared to C.
6. I think the title doesn’t capture the message from the results. Because “altered the microbiota” could be harmful or useful for the host. I suggest the authors amend the title to suit the results presented except the Authors are not sure if the alteration is useful.

 

 

 

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

In this manuscript authors have described that introduction of Lactococcus petauri CF11 in rats increased the fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) namely acetic acid and propionic acid and enhanced species richness. It also increased the overall % of genus Oscillospira, Coprococcus, and Ruminococcus which are reported to be able to produce SCFAs. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment of porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism; C5-Branched dibasic acid metabolism; valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis; ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. This manuscript adds valuable information to the field of gut microbiota research.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx