In this study, the investigators will collect fecal samples from healthy adults. The investigators will extract DNA from these fecal samples and use microbiological techniques to determine whether this DNA encodes enzymes that can react with certain chemicals called terpenoids and carotenoids. The investigators will additionally collect dietary information via a questionnaire.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
No intervention
NC State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Number of unique gut metagenomic enzymes with carotenoid-modifying activities for each participant.
Subjects' fecal metagenomic DNA will be extracted from their fecal sample, and random fragments of this metagenomic DNA will be inserted into an E. coli expression vector. This vector library will be transformed into an E. coli strain that will change color if a carotenoid-modifying gene is present. We expect to obtain about one million E. coli clones per participant. These clones will be spread on agar plates, and the colonies exhibiting different colors will be recovered and sequenced. The sequences of each participant will be collected and annotated to determine putative carotenoid-modifying enzymes, and the number of unique enzymes will be saved.
Time frame: Day 1
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