Title: Effects of Chitin, the Main Component of Insects’ Exoskeleton, on Mammalian Gut Physiology and Microbiota
Abstract:
Efforts to incorporate arthropods, especially insects, in both animal feed and Western human diets are increasing due to the rising human population and current global food insecurity crisis. Insects serve as a valuable source of protein and animal fibers, particularly chitin, which ranks as the second most abundant biopolymer in nature. While chitin is predominantly found in the exoskeleton of invertebrates and fungi, chitinases, chitin-degrading enzymes, are conserved across most animals, including vertebrates. However, we know little about animals' ability to digest chitin and the potential role of gut microbes in animal fiber digestibility. The third chapter of my dissertation examines the effects of dietary chitin on gut physiology, performance, enzymatic activity, and gut microbiome of wild omnivorous deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Without remodeling their gut size, we observed a significant reduction in digestive performance and higher chitinase activity in the chitin-fed mice compared to the control group. Interestingly, the gut microbial richness and diversity were reduced in chitin-fed mice. Our findings are the first to highlight the effect of chitin on digestive function and physiology as well as on gut microbial richness and composition when animals are fed chitin in low to moderate amounts. Future research is necessary to understand the effects of chitin on organismal gut health across animals. Integrative organismal approaches are crucial to understanding the effect of diets on gut health, which remains one of the "Grand Challenges" in animal physiology.
Kohl Lab
Wednesday, March 27th, 2024
12:00PM
Langley A219B