Metabolomic Analysis of , and Strains in the Presence of Pomegranate Extract.

species are prominent inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract that contribute to maintaining a balanced microbial environment that positively influences host health. These bacterial populations can be altered through use of probiotic supplements or dietary changes which in turn affect the host health. Utilizing polyphenolic compounds to selectively stimulate the growth of commensal bacteria can have a positive effect on the host through the production of numerous metabolites that are biologically active. Four strains were grown in the presence of pomegranate (POM) extract. Two strains, namely, NCFM and GG, are commonly used probiotics, while the other two strains, namely, NCK1351 and NCK1342, exhibit probiotic potential. To compare and contrast the impact of POM on the strains' metabolic capacity, we investigated the growth of the strains with and without the presence of POM and identified their carbohydrate utilization and enzyme activity profiles. To further investigate the differences between strains, an untargeted metabolomic approach was utilized to quantitatively and qualitatively define the metabolite profiles of these strains. Several metabolites were produced significantly and/or exclusively in some of the strains, including mevalonate, glutamine, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide, phenyllactate, and fumarate. The production of numerous discrete compounds illustrates the unique characteristics of and diversity between strains. Unraveling these differences is essential to understand the probiotic function and help inform strain selection for commercial product formulation.