The effects of mycotoxins on metabolomics of gut microbiota and host plasma and related health consequences

The intestinal microbiota contributes to the metabolism and health of its host. This implies that adverse effects on the intestinal microbiota may affect host health and provide a mode of action for adverse effects of food contaminants. The aim of the present study is to define to what extent selected food contaminants such as pesticides, known to occur in the modern food chain, affect the metabolic profile of the gut microbiota and resulting plasma metabolite profile, focusing on the metabolites of bile acids known to exert an effect on host physiology and health. In previous studies we have demonstrated that exposure to antibiotics affects the gut microbiome but also the host plasma metabolite patterns (in vivo). The aim of the present study is to extend these studies to the effect of pesticides on the intestinal microbiota while using alternative testing strategies instead of in vivo studies to define these effects. The aim of the present study is 1) to develop the method for the measurement of bile acids in faecal samples; 2) to validate the novel in vitro fermentation model systems with the antibiotics for which effects have been described in vivo; 3) to quantify the effects of selected pesticides by this novel in vitro fermentation model system; and 4) to validate the in vitro results for one selected pesticides in an in vivo mice model.