Regulation of Sacha Inchi protein on fecal metabolism and intestinal microorganisms in mice

Kuan Wu; Wanying Gong; Shiyang Lin; Si Huang; Hongyu Mu; Mingming Wang; Jun Sheng; Cunchao Zhao

doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1354486

Regulation of Sacha Inchi protein on fecal metabolism and intestinal microorganisms in mice

Front Nutr. 2024 Mar 8:11:1354486. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1354486. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Kuan Wu^#¹, Wanying Gong^#², Shiyang Lin³, Si Huang¹, Hongyu Mu¹, Mingming Wang¹, Jun Sheng^{1

4

5}, Cunchao Zhao^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
² Pu'er Institute of Pu-erh Tea, Pu-er, China.
³ Pu'er Agricultural Science Research Institute, Pu-er, China.
⁴ Yunnan Plateau Characteristic Agricultural Industry Research Institute, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
⁵ Yunnan Province Characteristic Resource Food Biological Manufacturing Engineering Research Center, Kunming, Yunnan, China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Introduction: With the increasing demand for protein utilization, exploring new protein resources has become a research hotspot. Sacha Inchi Protein (SIP) is a high-quality plant protein extracted from Sacha Inchi meal. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SIP on mouse metabolomics and gut microbiota diversity and explore the underlying pathways responsible for its health benefits.

Methods: In this study, the structural composition of SIP was investigated, and the effects of SIP on fecal metabolomics and intestinal microorganisms in mice were explored by LC-MS metabolomics technology analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results: The results showed that SIP was rich in amino acids, with the highest Manuscript Click here to view linked References content of arginine, which accounted for 22.98% of the total amino acid content; the potential fecal metabolites of mice in the SIP group involved lipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism; SIP altered the microbial composition of the cecum in mice, decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes value, and It decreased the abundance of the harmful intestinal bacteria Actinobacteriota and Desulfobacterota, and increased the abundance of the beneficial intestinal bacteria Faecalibaculum, Dubosiella.

Discussion: In conclusion, SIP is a high-quality plant protein with great potential for development in lipid-lowering, intestinal health, and mental illness, providing valuable clues for further research on its health-promoting mechanisms.

Keywords: Sacha Inchi protein; amino acid composition; fecal metabolism; gut microbiota; high-quality protein.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the Yunnan Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Personalized Food Manufacturing (Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China), Yunnan Province-City Integration Project (202302 AN360002), Yunnan Innovation Team of Food and Drug Homologous Functional Food (Selection of High-level Scientific and Technological Talents and Innovative Teams Project: 202305AS350025), Yunnan Science and Technology Mission of walnut Industry in Fengqing (202204BI090012).