While there is ample scientific evidence showing the beneficial impacts of nutritional compounds on gut microbiome, there has been less discussion around the two-way relationship between the compounds and the existing microbiota.
Dr Victoria Selma, senior research scientist and vice-director at the Centre for Edaphology and Applied Biology of Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Spain, is set to fill this knowledge gap at the IPC International Scientific Conference 2027.
“One of the main messages will be that the microbiome response does not depend solely on the diet or on the compound being administered,” Selma told NI. “This complexity helps to explain why two individuals may show very different microbiological and metabolic responses to the same polyphenol-rich dietary intervention.”
Focus on microbial metabotypes
A central theme of Selma’s session will be the bidirectional interaction between dietary polyphenols and the gut microbiota.
Selma will explain that the value of polyphenols cannot be fully understood without considering the specific gut microbes which work together to convert polyphenol compounds into bioactive metabolites.
She will discuss pathways, such as the conversion of ellagitannins into urolithins and the microbial metabolism of resveratrol, that demonstrate how the production of beneficial metabolites can depend on the presence of specific microbial communities.
These findings underpin the concept of ‘microbial metabotypes’, distinct functional profiles that determine which metabolites an individual can produce and in what quantities.
“Examples such as urolithins derived from ellagitannins, equol produced from isoflavones, or microbial metabolites of resveratrol show that two people consuming the same food may generate very different metabolic profiles,” Selma explained. “This variability is one of the foundations of personalized nutrition.”
Attendees will further hear how microbiome-mediated polyphenol metabolism changes across different stages of life and health conditions.
Selma will share evidence from studies examining variation from childhood through to pregnancy, lactation, and older age. She will also discuss findings from research into cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as work investigating neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
Delivering next-gen interventions
Looking ahead, Selma will outline how these insights could help shape the next generation of microbiome-targeted interventions, noting the importance of appropriate safety frameworks as a key challenge.
Ultimately, her presentation will argue that the future of gut health will depend less on altering which microbes are present and more on understanding what they do.
“The future will probably not be simply about changing which microorganisms are present in the gut,” she said, “but about understanding which microbial functions we want to modulate, which metabolites we want to promote, and in which individual we want to do so.”
Dr. Victoria Selma will present these insights and more at the 20th IPC (the International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health) taking place in Kraków, Poland, from June 22-24, 2027.
The IPC serves as a key forum for scientists, researchers, and industry experts to discuss emerging discoveries in probiotics, prebiotics, gut microbiota, and associated health innovations.
To find out more, and register your interest, visit the IPC website here.
