Interactions between gut commensal bacteria and polysaccharides derived from algae and legumes: identification of metabolites produced and pathways involved

Fiber structure mechanistically links to selective microbial functions. Pulses-derived RFOs elicit broad, phylum-specific metabolic programs, and algae polysaccharides engage a limited set of Bacteroidota specialists. This integrative framework (growth, SCFAs, metabolomics, transcriptomics) refines how discrete fiber types can be matched to microbial capacities, informing precision-nutrition strategies that leverage sustainable fibers (pulses, algae) to promote health-relevant metabolites and targeted microbiome modulation.