The Stool Volatile Metabolome of Pre-Term Babies

Alessandra Frau; Lauren Lett; Rachael Slater; Gregory R. Young; Christopher J. Stewart; Janet Berrington; David M. Hughes; Nicholas Embleton; Chris Probert

doi:10.3390/molecules26113341

The Stool Volatile Metabolome of Pre-Term Babies

Alessandra Frau^*, Lauren Lett, Rachael Slater, Gregory R. Young, Christopher J. Stewart, Janet Berrington, David M. Hughes, Nicholas Embleton, Chris Probert

^*Corresponding author for this work

Applied Sciences Department

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

The fecal metabolome in early life has seldom been studied. We investigated its evolution in pre-term babies during their first weeks of life. Multiple (n = 152) stool samples were studied from 51 babies, all 32 weeks gestation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Data were interpreted using Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution System (AMDIS) with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference library. Statistical analysis was based on linear mixed modelling, the number of VOCs increased over time; a rise was mainly observed between day 5 and day 10. The shift at day 5 was associated with products of branched-chain fatty acids. Prior to this, the metabolome was dominated by aldehydes and acetic acid. Caesarean delivery showed a modest association with molecules of fungal origin. This study shows how the metabolome changes in early life in pre-term babies. The shift in the metabolome 5 days after delivery coincides with the establishment of enteral feeding and the transition from meconium to feces. Great diversity of metabolites was associated with being fed greater volumes of milk.

Original language	English
Article number	e3341
Number of pages	11
Journal	Molecules
Volume	26
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113341
Publication status	Published - 2 Jun 2021

Keywords

metabolome
feces
neonates
fermentation
protein
carbohydrate
short chain fatty acid

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title = "The Stool Volatile Metabolome of Pre-Term Babies",

abstract = "The fecal metabolome in early life has seldom been studied. We investigated its evolution in pre-term babies during their first weeks of life. Multiple (n = 152) stool samples were studied from 51 babies, all 32 weeks gestation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Data were interpreted using Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution System (AMDIS) with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference library. Statistical analysis was based on linear mixed modelling, the number of VOCs increased over time; a rise was mainly observed between day 5 and day 10. The shift at day 5 was associated with products of branched-chain fatty acids. Prior to this, the metabolome was dominated by aldehydes and acetic acid. Caesarean delivery showed a modest association with molecules of fungal origin. This study shows how the metabolome changes in early life in pre-term babies. The shift in the metabolome 5 days after delivery coincides with the establishment of enteral feeding and the transition from meconium to feces. Great diversity of metabolites was associated with being fed greater volumes of milk.",

keywords = "metabolome, feces, neonates, fermentation, protein, carbohydrate, short chain fatty acid",

author = "Alessandra Frau and Lauren Lett and Rachael Slater and Young, {Gregory R.} and Stewart, {Christopher J.} and Janet Berrington and Hughes, {David M.} and Nicholas Embleton and Chris Probert",

note = "Funding information: This research was funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanistic Evaluation programme (EME) grant number 13/122/02.",

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doi = "10.3390/molecules26113341",

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T1 - The Stool Volatile Metabolome of Pre-Term Babies

AU - Frau, Alessandra

AU - Lett, Lauren

AU - Slater, Rachael

AU - Young, Gregory R.

AU - Stewart, Christopher J.

AU - Berrington, Janet

AU - Hughes, David M.

AU - Embleton, Nicholas

AU - Probert, Chris

N1 - Funding information: This research was funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanistic Evaluation programme (EME) grant number 13/122/02.

PY - 2021/6/2

Y1 - 2021/6/2

N2 - The fecal metabolome in early life has seldom been studied. We investigated its evolution in pre-term babies during their first weeks of life. Multiple (n = 152) stool samples were studied from 51 babies, all 32 weeks gestation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Data were interpreted using Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution System (AMDIS) with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference library. Statistical analysis was based on linear mixed modelling, the number of VOCs increased over time; a rise was mainly observed between day 5 and day 10. The shift at day 5 was associated with products of branched-chain fatty acids. Prior to this, the metabolome was dominated by aldehydes and acetic acid. Caesarean delivery showed a modest association with molecules of fungal origin. This study shows how the metabolome changes in early life in pre-term babies. The shift in the metabolome 5 days after delivery coincides with the establishment of enteral feeding and the transition from meconium to feces. Great diversity of metabolites was associated with being fed greater volumes of milk.

AB - The fecal metabolome in early life has seldom been studied. We investigated its evolution in pre-term babies during their first weeks of life. Multiple (n = 152) stool samples were studied from 51 babies, all 32 weeks gestation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Data were interpreted using Automated Mass Spectral Deconvolution System (AMDIS) with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference library. Statistical analysis was based on linear mixed modelling, the number of VOCs increased over time; a rise was mainly observed between day 5 and day 10. The shift at day 5 was associated with products of branched-chain fatty acids. Prior to this, the metabolome was dominated by aldehydes and acetic acid. Caesarean delivery showed a modest association with molecules of fungal origin. This study shows how the metabolome changes in early life in pre-term babies. The shift in the metabolome 5 days after delivery coincides with the establishment of enteral feeding and the transition from meconium to feces. Great diversity of metabolites was associated with being fed greater volumes of milk.

KW - metabolome

KW - feces

KW - neonates

KW - fermentation

KW - protein

KW - carbohydrate

KW - short chain fatty acid

U2 - 10.3390/molecules26113341

DO - 10.3390/molecules26113341

M3 - Article

SN - 1420-3049

VL - 26

JO - Molecules

JF - Molecules

IS - 11

M1 - e3341

ER -

The Stool Volatile Metabolome of Pre-Term Babies

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Keywords

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