Determining the competitive advantage provided by Dietary polysaccharides to two major genera of Bacteroidota.

The human gut microbiota comprises a diverse group of microorganisms that interact to maintain

a healthy state. They break down dietary polysaccharides into Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

that are essential for human health. Two major genera, Bacteroides and Segatella, aid in the

fermentation process. However, they show an inverse correlation in the human gut, with one

dominating the other. This study investigated the factors influencing the domination of

Bacteroides or Segatella genera in the human gut. Previous research found that plant-based

polysaccharides provide an advantage for Segatella strains and promote their dominance in the

gut community. Additionally, the presence of other commensal members influences the direct

competition of the Segatella and Bacteroidaceae species. Our findings highlight the importance

of the source of polysaccharides and the presence of other commensal members in determining

the gut microbiota's composition. Further studies can explore the specific mechanisms of dietary

polysaccharide utilization by gut microbiota for potential therapeutics and personalized

prebiotics.