| Studies examining the intestinal microbiota have predominantly used fecal samples to represent the diversity found along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Fecal samples may not capture the varying diversity found in the different regions of the GI. Using amplification of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, microbes present in the feces and ceca of rats were identified. Diversity and relative abundances were compared, indicating that the fecal and cecal microbial communities were distinctly different.
Probiotics and blueberries have beneficial health effects on the consumer. To understand how diets supplemented with either or both probiotics or blueberries affects the gut microbiota, the cecal microbiota of rats given one of four diets (Control, Blueberry, Probiotic, or Blueberry & Probiotic) was examined. In our study there were no major differences observed between the treatments and control. Examination of the transcriptome and metabolome is the next step in understanding the diet-host interaction.
Key Words: intestinal microbiota, probiotics, blueberries, microbial diversity |