title: Intestinal Short Chain Fatty Acids and their Link with Diet and Human Health.
abstract: The colon is inhabited by a dense population of microorganisms, the so-called "gut microbiota," able to ferment carbohydrates and proteins that escape absorption in the small intestine during digestion. This microbiota produces a wide range of metabolites, including short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These compounds are absorbed in the large bowel and are defined as 1-6 carbon volatile fatty acids which can present straight or branched-chain conformation. Their production is influenced by the pattern of food intake and diet-mediated changes in the gut microbiota. SCFA have distinct physiological effects: they contribute to shaping the gut environment, influence the physiology of the colon, they can be used as energy sources by host cells and the intestinal microbiota and they also participate in different host-signaling mechanisms. We summarize the current knowledge about the production of SCFA, including bacterial cross-feedings interactions, and the biological properties of these metabolites with impact on the human health.
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ríos-Covián
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruas-Madiedo
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: Abelardo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolles
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gueimonde
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: Clara G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: de Los Reyes-Gavilán
authors.affiliation: Probiotics and Prebiotics Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Villaviciosa, Spain.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salazar
keywords: cross feeding; diet; human health; intestinal microbiota; short chain fatty acids