Dynamics of tryptophan metabolites and microbial adaptations during corn by-product fermentation in the pig gut microbiome

Corn germ meal supplementation reshapes gut microbial communities, enhances metabolic activity, and promotes the generation of bioactive tryptophan metabolites with potential immunomodulatory effects. These findings highlight the value of corn by-products as dietary fibres that can drive beneficial microbial cross-feeding and influence host intestinal homeostasis. Although demonstrated in an ex vivo setting, this study provides a mechanistic basis and preclinical evidence for future in vivo studies, supporting the sustainable utilisation of food industry by-products to improve gut health and resource efficiency in livestock production.