Propionate-producing microbes
What this marker measures
The collective capacity of the microbial community to produce propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) generated through the fermentation of dietary fibre and other fermentable substrates. Propionate may help regulate intestinal inflammation by supporting regulatory T-cell activity and modulating immune responses through short-chain fatty acid receptors1–4.
Clinical associations
Consider this marker when your patient presents with:
Interpreting the result
All results are compared to Microba's healthy cohort to determine whether they fall within or outside the expected range.
Patient management insights
Support propionate-producing potential through dietary fibre and targeted probiotic support.
GRADE D
Tips for patients discussion
Your report suggests your gut microbiome has a lower capacity to produce propionate, a beneficial short-chain fatty acid that helps regulate immune pathways in the gut. Increasing fermentable fibres from wholegrains, particularly oats and wholegrain wheat or rye, can help support propionate-producing microbes.
The community
Propionate is not produced by a single species, it’s a community-level function. Here are some of the most commonly-detected species, however this list is not exhaustive
- Alistipes finegoldii
- Alistipes obesi
- Alistipes onderdonkii
- Alistipes putredinis
- Alistipes shahii
- Alistipes_A ihumii
- Bacteroides caccae
- Bacteroides cellulosilyticus
- Bacteroides ovatus
- Bacteroides stercoris
- Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
- Bacteroides uniformis
- Bacteroides xylanisolvens
- Bacteroides_B dorei
- Bacteroides_B massiliensis
- Bacteroides_B vulgatus
- Barnesiella intestinihominis
- Blautia_A obeum
- Coprococcus_A catus
- Eubacterium_E hallii
- Eubacterium_E hallii_A
- Odoribacter splanchnicus
- Parabacteroides distasonis
- Parabacteroides merdae
How results are calculated
All microbiome marker results are compared against the Microba Healthy Cohort — a purpose-built reference group of more than 450 healthy individuals, collected and analysed using the same workflow as patient samples.
Each marker is scored by comparing the patient's relative abundance against the cohort average. The distance from this average is expressed as standard deviations, and determines whether a result is classified as Low, Borderline, or High.
Source references for all clinical associations, interpretation definitions, and patient management insights on this card.
1. Seidel, M. et al. The effects of propionate on blood pressure and arterial function. J Hypertens 43, 1894–1898 (2025).
2. Meyer, F. et al. Propionate supplementation promotes the expansion of peripheral regulatory T-Cells in patients with end-stage renal disease. J Nephrol 33, 817–827 (2020).
3. Arpaia, N. et al. Metabolites produced by commensal bacteria promote peripheral regulatory T-cell generation. Nature 504, 451 (2013).
4. Smith, P. M. et al. The Microbial Metabolites, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Regulate Colonic Treg Cell Homeostasis. Science 341, 569–573 (2013).
5. Sandberg, J. C., Björck, I. M. E. & Nilsson, A. C. Rye-Based Evening Meals Favorably Affected Glucose Regulation and Appetite Variables at the Following Breakfast; A Randomized Controlled Study in Healthy Subjects. PLOS ONE 11, e0151985 (2016).
6. Vetrani, C. et al. Effects of whole-grain cereal foods on plasma short chain fatty acid concentrations in individuals with the metabolic syndrome. Nutrition 32, 217–221 (2016).
7. Xu, D. et al. The Prebiotic Effects of Oats on Blood Lipids, Gut Microbiota, and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Subjects Compared With Rice: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Front. Immunol. 12, (2021).
8. Malik, M. et al. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v Supplementation Improves Vascular Endothelial Function and Reduces Inflammatory Biomarkers in Men With Stable Coronary Artery Disease. Circ Res 123, 1091–1102 (2018).