Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.7
4.2
Journals
Microorganisms
Special Issues
The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota
share announcement

The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 4943

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Renata Barczyńska-Felusiak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dietetics and Food Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Al. Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Interests: probiotics; prebiotics; synbiotics; obesity; children; functional foods; microbiota; microbiome; dietary supplements; antibiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Agnieszka Rudzka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Dietetics and Food Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Al. Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
Interests: probiotics; prebiotics; synbiotics; food quality; nutrients and metabolism; malnutrition; microbiota; microbiome; artificial digestive systems; method development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diet has a profound impact on human health. It is now well established that one of the systems that changes rapidly in response to dietary patterns is the composition of the intestinal microbiota. While the topic has already been broadly studied, data are still insufficient to draw plans for precision nutrition, where microbiota information could be used to aid in the selection of appropriate dietary choices. Such plans should not only consider the composition of an individual's microbiota, but also the bidirectional relationship between nutrients and microbiota. The microbiota processes nutrients into various substances, some of which possess bioactive potential. The best-known substances are short-chain fatty acids and B-group vitamins, but recent studies have revealed a broad range of microbiota-derived bioactive substances. These include neurotransmitters, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine, or norepinephrine; bacteriocins; and even secondary bile acids. Through some of the produced bioactive substances, as well as other mechanisms, the microbiota may influence the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, dietary macronutrients were also found to provide varying amounts of energy depending on the composition of the intestinal microbial community.

The interactions between nutrients and the microbiota, as well as their impact on human health, remain a thriving area of research, where further discoveries are warranted.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Applied Microbiology.

Prof. Dr. Renata Barczyńska-Felusiak
Guest Editor

Dr. Agnieszka Rudzka
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diet
  • nutrients
  • microbiota
  • human health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 1967 KB  
Article
The Response of Mucosal Colonic Microbiota to Probiotic and Dietary Intervention In Vitro
by Agnieszka Rudzka, Ondřej Patloka, Magdalena Płecha, Marek Zborowski, Renata Barczyńska-Felusiak, Tomasz Królikowski, Michał Oczkowski, Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska and Dorota Zielińska
Microorganisms 2026, 14(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14020270 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 879
Abstract
Recently, the role of mucosal intestinal microbiota in human health has received increasing attention. Nevertheless, data on the response of this microbiota to various interventions remain limited. Here, we have employed the Mucosal Simulator of Human Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SHIME®) and [...] Read more.
Recently, the role of mucosal intestinal microbiota in human health has received increasing attention. Nevertheless, data on the response of this microbiota to various interventions remain limited. Here, we have employed the Mucosal Simulator of Human Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SHIME®) and luminal SHIME® (L-SHIME®) to examine mucosal microbiota responses to interventions that are known to impact the intestinal microbial community in humans and study relationships between the responses of mucosal and luminal microbiota. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of varying macronutrient levels over a 28-day standard, balanced dietary intervention and a parallel 14-day administration of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. Observed shifts in mucosal microbiota in response to interventions differed significantly from those observed in luminal microbiota (p < 0.05). In particular, we found that the mucosal microbiota compared to luminal microbiota was more stable and that the abundance of several genera (i.e., Subdoligranulum, Parabacteroides and Fusobacterium) in the M-SHIME® correlated positively with the intake of dietary macronutrients, especially protein, which was in line with results reported in previous human studies. This study demonstrates the reliability of advanced in vitro models in capturing diet-induced dynamics of the human mucosal microbiota, a compartment that remains understudied despite its critical role in intestinal immune regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 3124 KB  
Article
Diet–Microbiome Relationships in Prostate-Cancer Survivors with Prior Androgen Deprivation-Therapy Exposure and Previous Exercise Intervention Enrollment
by Jacob Raber, Abigail O’Niel, Kristin D. Kasschau, Alexandra Pederson, Naomi Robinson, Carolyn Guidarelli, Christopher Chalmers, Kerri Winters-Stone and Thomas J. Sharpton
Microorganisms 2026, 14(1), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14010251 - 21 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
The gut microbiome is a modifiable factor in cancer survivorship. Diet represents the most practical intervention for modulating the gut microbiome. However, diet–microbiome relationships in prostate-cancer survivors remain poorly characterized. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of diet–microbiome associations in 79 prostate-cancer survivors (ages [...] Read more.
The gut microbiome is a modifiable factor in cancer survivorship. Diet represents the most practical intervention for modulating the gut microbiome. However, diet–microbiome relationships in prostate-cancer survivors remain poorly characterized. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of diet–microbiome associations in 79 prostate-cancer survivors (ages 62–81) enrolled in a randomized exercise intervention trial, 59.5% of whom still have active metastatic disease. Dietary intake was assessed using the Diet History Questionnaire (201 variables) and analyzed using three validated dietary pattern scores: Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS), Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), and the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet score. Gut microbiome composition was characterized via 16S rRNA sequencing. Dimensionality reduction strategies, including theory-driven diet scores and data-driven machine learning (Random Forest, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO)), were used. Statistical analyses included beta regression for alpha diversity, Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) for beta diversity (both Bray–Curtis and Sørensen metrics), and Microbiome Multivariable Associations with Linear Models (MaAsLin2) with negative binomial regression for taxa-level associations. All models tested interactions with exercise intervention, APOLIPOPROTEIN E (APOE) genotype, and testosterone levels. There was an interaction between MEDAS and exercise type on gut alpha diversity (Shannon: p = 0.0022), with stronger diet–diversity associations in strength training and Tai Chi groups than flexibility controls. All three diet-quality scores predicted beta diversity (HEI p = 0.002; MIND p = 0.025; MEDAS p = 0.034) but not Bray–Curtis (abundance-weighted) distance, suggesting diet shapes community membership rather than relative abundances. Taxa-level analysis revealed 129 genera with diet associations or diet × host factor interactions. Among 297 dietary variables tested for cognitive outcomes, only caffeine significantly predicted Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction (p = 0.0009, q = 0.014) through direct pathways beneficial to cognitive performance without notable gut microbiome modulation. In cancer survivors, dietary recommendations should be tailored to exercise habits, genetic background, and hormonal status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 272 KB  
Article
Effects of Fibrous By-Products on Growth Performance, Ileal Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets
by Huilin Ouyang, Łukasz Grześkowiak, Wilfried Vahjen, Jürgen Zentek and Beatriz Martínez-Vallespín
Microorganisms 2025, 13(11), 2482; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112482 - 30 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 870
Abstract
Three fibrous by-products were evaluated over a 35-day feeding period in 64 weaned piglets, randomly assigned to four groups: a control without by-products (CON) and three others with diets containing 8% carrot pomace (CRT), 8% brewers’ spent grain (BSG), or 8% carob pods [...] Read more.
Three fibrous by-products were evaluated over a 35-day feeding period in 64 weaned piglets, randomly assigned to four groups: a control without by-products (CON) and three others with diets containing 8% carrot pomace (CRT), 8% brewers’ spent grain (BSG), or 8% carob pods (CRB). The growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and apparent ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids were not affected. The jejunal and colonic morphology showed no statistical differences, although small numerical increases in the villus height and villus height-to-crypt ratio were noted with the by-products. Total short-chain fatty acid concentrations were stable, but their profile shifted: acetate increased in CRT and CRB (p < 0.001) mainly at the expense of propionate (p = 0.005). The microbiota composition in the proximal colon showed modest changes, with the highest Bifidobacterium spp. abundance in CRT and lowest in CRB (p = 0.042), reduced Ruminococcaceae UCG 005 with all the by-products (p = 0.008), and greater microbial richness in CRB (p = 0.009). These results suggest that a moderate inclusion of fibrous by-products may influence intestinal microbial ecology and fermentation patterns without negatively affecting performance or nutrient digestibility in weaned piglets, with no source appearing superior, thereby highlighting their potential as sustainable feed ingredients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota)

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 841 KB  
Review
Interactions Between Plant Proteins and Gut Microbiota as Determinants of Intestinal Health
by Aleksandra Szydłowska, Barbara Sionek and Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030540 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1103
Abstract
Plant proteins are an important component of the human diet and play a key role in shaping the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota. Increasing evidence shows that interactions between plant-derived protein fractions and intestinal microorganisms have a significant impact on intestinal [...] Read more.
Plant proteins are an important component of the human diet and play a key role in shaping the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota. Increasing evidence shows that interactions between plant-derived protein fractions and intestinal microorganisms have a significant impact on intestinal barrier function, immune response, and host metabolism. Undigested residues of proteins and peptides may constitute a substrate for intestinal bacteria, leading to the formation of metabolites with beneficial or harmful effects. On the one hand, fermentation products can support intestinal homeostasis through the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids or modulation of inflammatory responses; on the other hand, some compounds resulting from bacterial proteolysis may disturb the integrity of the intestinal epithelium. This article presents the current state of knowledge regarding the characteristics of plant-based proteins, their impact on the intestinal microbiota, and the importance of these interactions for intestinal health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interactions Between Nutrients and Microbiota)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop