What Are Microbiota and Microbiome?
- Microbiota vs Microbiome
- Does Microbiota Affect Our Health?
- Microbiome and Its Role in the Body's Ecosystem
Microbiota vs Microbiome
The term “microbiota” first emerged in the early 1900s. A variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and viruses, coexist within different parts of the human body, such as the gut, skin, lungs, and oral cavity. The human microbiota is also known as the “hidden organ” because it contributes more than 150 times the genetic information of the entire human genome.
Although “microbiota” and “microbiome” are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Microbiota refers to the living microorganisms found in a specific environment, such as gut microbiota or oral microbiota. On the other hand, the microbiome refers to the collection of genomes or genetic material of all microorganisms in a particular environment. The microbiome not only includes microbial communities but also their structural elements, metabolites, and interactions within that environment.
This makes the microbiome a broader concept than microbiota.For example, gut microbiota focuses on bacterial species such as Lactobacillus and Bacteroides, while the gut microbiome includes these microorganisms along with their genetic material and roles in metabolism and overall health.
Does Microbiota Affect Our Health?
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The composition of microbiota varies depending on its location in the body. Among them, gut microbiota is the largest and most crucial for maintaining overall health. Gut bacteria perform various functions, including food fermentation, pathogen protection, immune system stimulation, and vitamin production.
Generally, gut microbiota consists of six major phyla: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the dominant groups in the human gut. Apart from bacteria, fungi such as Candida, Saccharomyces, Malassezia, and Cladosporium are also present in gut microbiota.
Microbiota is not only found in the gut but also in other parts of the body, such as the mouth, lungs, vagina, and skin. The oral microbiota is the second-largest microbial community in the human body, consisting mainly of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria.
The balance of gut microbiota is closely linked to human health and disease. With millions of microorganisms, gut microbiota play a key role in digestion, metabolism, and immune regulation. It helps train the immune system to differentiate between harmful pathogens and beneficial microbes, preventing excessive immune responses.
Additionally, certain bacteria help break down complex carbohydrates and fibers, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that support gut health. A well-balanced microbiota enhances nutrient absorption and energy balance, which can help prevent diabetes and obesity. Beneficial microbiota also produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful microbes.
Research has also shown a connection between gut microbiota and mental health. An imbalance in microbiota, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Microbiome and Its Role in the Body's Ecosystem
While microbiota focuses on bacterial species that contribute to human health, the microbiome encompasses the genetic material responsible for maintaining ecological balance within the body. The genes within the microbiome help produce enzymes that digest complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that human enzymes alone cannot break down. Some gut bacteria also contain genes that ferment fiber into SCFAs, essential for gut health.
Microbiome genes are also involved in the production of various vitamins necessary for bodily functions. In pathogen defense, beneficial bacteria interact with specific genes to produce natural antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
The human microbiome forms a microbial ecosystem in different environments within the body, such as the gut, skin, mouth, lungs, and other organs. These microbes interact with one another and with their human host, creating a balanced system that affects overall health. The microbiome functions similarly to natural ecosystems, where microbes compete, collaborate, and adapt to their host conditions.
The microbiome ecosystem consists of producers, consumers, and decomposers:
- Producers: Microorganisms that produce essential metabolites through fermentation (e.g., Lactobacillus produces lactic acid).
- Consumers: Microbes that utilize lactic acid for growth.
- Decomposers: Microbes that recycle organic matter, helping with food breakdown and detoxification of harmful substances.
As a dynamic ecosystem, the microbiome can change due to environmental factors. A high-fiber diet promotes microbiome diversity, while a diet high in fat and sugar can cause imbalances. Excessive antibiotic use reduces the number of beneficial bacteria. Stress, sleep patterns, and physical activity also influence microbiome composition.
Microbiota and microbiome are key components of human health, playing crucial roles in metabolism, immune function, mental well-being, and disease prevention. Understanding and maintaining a balanced microbiome through a healthy diet, lifestyle choices, and responsible medication use is essential for overall well-being.
Microbiota and microbiome play a crucial role in maintaining body health and maintaining a balanced internal ecosystem. Want more insights into scientific research? Read other interesting articles on our website or have your product tested in the laboratory by our team of experts.
Author: Safira
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
Hou, K., Wu, ZX., Chen, XY. et al. 2022. Microbiota in health and diseases. Sig Transduct Target Ther : 7, 135.
Sharon, I.; Quijada, N.M.; Pasolli, E.; Fabbrini, M.; Vitali, F.; Agamennone, V.; Dötsch, A.; Selberherr, E.; Grau, J.H.; Meixner, M.; et al. 2022. The Core Human Microbiome: Does It Exist and How CanWe Find It? A Critical Review of the Concept. Nutrients: 14, 2872.
