OPTIMIZING BIOACTIVE METABOLITES IN FERMENTED FOODS TO IMPROVE HUMAN IMMUNE FUNCTION

The primary goal of this projectis to determine if specific microbial-derived metabolites derived from aromatic amino acids (ArAALact) can be optimized in a whole food matrix to promote anti-inflammatory activity in humans. We will test this hypothesis with the following specific aims:Aim 1. Determine how microbial ArAALact metabolites directly mediate inflammatory and metatabolic profiles of primary human monocytes.Aim 2. Establish whole fermented food matrix conditions that maximize ArAALact metabolite production.Aim 3. Define effects of consuming whole fermented foods rich in ArAALact metabolites on circulating inflammatory profiles and the gut microbiota of obese humans.