Probiotic metabolomics
LBPs must overcome physiological challenges in the gut and their metabolic functions play a crucial role in conquering these challenges. A careful application of metabolomic analysis, using both untargeted approaches that evaluate all molecules and targeted approaches that investigate specific molecules under varying conditions, can bring these metabolic functions to light. For example, a metabolomic study of L. plantarum strains unveiled the extent of bile acid deconjugation, not only helping survive bile stress but also reducing competition for nutrients by restricting the expansion of certain microbial species.
