Progress 02/01/23 to 01/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience for the USDA NIFA grant on optimizing bioactive metabolites in fermented foods includes both internal and external scientific communities. Internally, our research findings have been presented to scientific audiences at the University of Illinois, fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination within the institution. Externally, our outreach efforts extended to other peerinstitutions, enhancing the impact and reach of our work. Furthermore, our commitment to knowledge dissemination is evident through the submission of a publication to BioRxiv, a preprint server, showcasing our research to a wider audience in the scientific community. This publication is nowcurrently under review at Nature-Science of Food. In summary, our target audience for this reporting periodcomprised mostlyscientists, researchers, and professionals in the field of Nutrition and related disciplines, both within our institution and beyond. Through our presentations and publications, we aim to share our progress and findings, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge of the potential health promoting properties offermented foods. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has significantly enriched the training and professional development opportunities for students in the Allen and Miller Lab, providing them with a multifaceted learning experience at the intersection of food science and immunology. Through active participation in the project, students were afforded the chance to receive hands-on training in cutting-edge techniques relevant to both fields, enhancing both their practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Notably, students were given the valuable opportunity to showcase their work and research findings to the broader nutrition science community through both oral and poster presentations. This exposure not only hones their communication and presentation skills but also fosters a deeper understanding of how their research contributes to the larger scientific landscape. Presenting at scientific gatherings, both internal and external, has empowered these students to engage with peers, experts, and professionals, establishing connections and gaining insights into diverse perspectives within nutritional sciences. Overall, the project has not only equipped students with technical expertise but has also instilled in them the ability to effectively communicate their findings, a crucial skill in their future careers. This dual emphasis on practical training and presentation opportunities reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals in the fields of food science and immunology. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Internally, within the University of Illinois, the project results have been shared through presentations at scientific forums and seminars. This includes both formal presentations and informal discussions, fostering dialogue and collaboration among researchers within the institution. Additionally, the presentation of multiple abstracts in poster format has provided a platform for interactive engagement and knowledge exchange within the academic community. Externally, our commitment to open science is evident through the publication of a pre-print paper in BioRxiv (December 2023), titled "Microbial aromatic amino acid metabolism is modifiable in fermented food matrices to promote bioactivity" by Kaseperk et al. This pre-print publication serves to disseminate our research findings to a global audience, allowing the broader scientific community to access and evaluate our work. Furthermore, the submission of a publication to Nature-Science of Food underscores our dedication to sharing our results with a prestigious journal, ensuring the dissemination of our findings to a wider and influential readership. Beyond academic circles, efforts have been made to communicate project outcomes to the general public and stakeholders through press releases, and summaries tailored for a non-specialist audience. This multi-faceted approach to dissemination aligns with our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and the widespread sharing of knowledge within communities of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the upcoming reporting period, we will channel our efforts towards the completion of Aim 1, focusing on definitively establishing the pathways through which ArAAlacts signal to monocytes. This will involve a comprehensive exploration and analysis to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying the interaction between ArAAlacts and monocytes, further enhancing our understanding of the biological processes at play. Simultaneously, as we conclude the remaining aspects of Aim 1, we will initiate the groundwork for Aim 3. The upcoming year will see the commencement of participant recruitment for our studies. Additionally, we will undertake the task of designing food menus tailored to the optimized fermented foods developed in the previous phases of the project. This menu design will lay the foundation for the upcoming cohort in the optimized fermented food feeding trial, scheduled to commence by the fall of 2024. The integration of Aim 1 completion and the initiation of Aim 3 represents a strategic progression in our research objectives. This dual focus ensures a comprehensive approach, combining the exploration of molecular pathways with the practical implementation of optimized fermented foods in human trials. Through these concerted efforts, we aim to deepen our understanding of the bioactive metabolites' impact on human health and inflammatory profiles, contributing valuable insights to the broader scientific community and advancing the goals of the USDA NIFA grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In pursuit of Aim 1, significant strides have been made in establishing a robust model for culturing primary human monocytes ex vivo with ArAALact, accompanied by a well-defined workflow for subsequent gene expression and protein analysis. Additionally, a model for real-time monocyte metabolism analysis using Seahorse XF Analyzer has been successfully implemented. Although the pathways through antagonist treatments are yet to be defined, the groundwork has been laid for a comprehensive understanding. The outcomes of this research were disseminated through the presentation of multiple abstracts in poster format at both internal events within the University of Illinois and external scientific gatherings. In Aim 2, substantial progress has been achieved in establishing optimal conditions within the whole fermented food matrix to maximize ArAALact metabolite production. Our team meticulously analyzed concentrations of PLA, 4HPLA, ILA, and additional aromatic amino acid metabolites in over 25 commercially sold fermented foods, encompassing 15 dairy ferments, 10 vegetable ferments, and 4 miscellaneous ferments. A detailed examination of 12 fermented foods across two different lots was conducted. Furthermore, 21 lactic acid bacteria strains commonly found in fermented foods were assessed in monoculture, revealing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a robust producer of PLA, 4HPLA, and ILA. Techniques were developed to significantly enhance the production of these metabolites in two whole food matrices, yogurt and sauerkraut. The most optimized version of yogurt demonstrated remarkable increases, with over 2,000% in PLA, nearly 600% in 4HPLA, and over 3,000% in ILA compared to the yogurt control. A pre-print paper detailing these accomplishments was published in BioRxiv (December 2023), and a submission to Nature-Science of Food is currently under consideration. As we progress through the grant's first year, work on Aim 3 is pending initiation.The Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval has been successfully obtained. This aim focuses on defining the effects of consuming whole fermented foods rich in ArAALact metabolites on circulating inflammatory profiles and the gut microbiota of obese individuals, marking a critical avenue for future exploration.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kasperek, M. C. et al. Microbial aromatic amino acid metabolism is modifiable in fermented food matrices to promote bioactivity. bioRxiv, 2023.2012.2021.572869, doi:10.1101/2023.12.21.572869 (2023).
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