Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health
The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal (GI) health, influencing digestion, metabolism, immune function, and the gut–brain axis. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in microbiota composition, is associated with GI disorders, including irritable bowe...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Patrycja Krynicka George Koulaouzidis Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka Wojciech Marlicz Anastasios Koulaouzidis |
| author_facet | Patrycja Krynicka George Koulaouzidis Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka Wojciech Marlicz Anastasios Koulaouzidis |
| author_sort | Patrycja Krynicka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal (GI) health, influencing digestion, metabolism, immune function, and the gut–brain axis. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in microbiota composition, is associated with GI disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Conventional microbiota analysis methods, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), provide valuable insights but are often expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive alternative. This analytical technique relies on inelastic light scattering to generate molecular “fingerprints”, enabling real-time, marker-free analysis of microbiota composition and metabolic activity. This review explores the principles, sample preparation techniques, and advancements in RS, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), for microbiota research. RS facilitates identifying microbial species, analysing key metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and monitoring microbiota responses to dietary and therapeutic interventions. The comparative analysis highlights RS’s advantages over conventional techniques, such as the minimal sample preparation, real-time capabilities, and non-destructive nature. The integration of RS with machine learning enhances its diagnostic potential, enabling biomarker discovery and personalised treatment strategies for GI disorders. Challenges, including weak Raman signals and spectral complexity, are discussed alongside emerging solutions. As RS technology advances, mainly through portable spectrometers and AI integration, its clinical application in microbiota diagnostics and personalised medicine is poised to transform GI healthcare, bridging microbiota research with practical therapeutic strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4ad7b446e424fcfa1a9f05df71eeb98 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4ad7b446e424fcfa1a9f05df71eeb982025-08-20T02:48:09ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-01-0115329210.3390/diagnostics15030292Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal HealthPatrycja Krynicka0George Koulaouzidis1Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka2Wojciech Marlicz3Anastasios Koulaouzidis4Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-252 Szczecin, PolandDepartment of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-460 Szczecin, PolandDepartment of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-460 Szczecin, PolandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-252 Szczecin, PolandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-252 Szczecin, PolandThe gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal (GI) health, influencing digestion, metabolism, immune function, and the gut–brain axis. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in microbiota composition, is associated with GI disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Conventional microbiota analysis methods, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), provide valuable insights but are often expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive alternative. This analytical technique relies on inelastic light scattering to generate molecular “fingerprints”, enabling real-time, marker-free analysis of microbiota composition and metabolic activity. This review explores the principles, sample preparation techniques, and advancements in RS, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), for microbiota research. RS facilitates identifying microbial species, analysing key metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and monitoring microbiota responses to dietary and therapeutic interventions. The comparative analysis highlights RS’s advantages over conventional techniques, such as the minimal sample preparation, real-time capabilities, and non-destructive nature. The integration of RS with machine learning enhances its diagnostic potential, enabling biomarker discovery and personalised treatment strategies for GI disorders. Challenges, including weak Raman signals and spectral complexity, are discussed alongside emerging solutions. As RS technology advances, mainly through portable spectrometers and AI integration, its clinical application in microbiota diagnostics and personalised medicine is poised to transform GI healthcare, bridging microbiota research with practical therapeutic strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/3/292Raman spectroscopygut microbiotagastrointestinal healthnon-invasive diagnosticsmicrobial metabolitesshort-chain fatty acids |
| spellingShingle | Patrycja Krynicka George Koulaouzidis Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka Wojciech Marlicz Anastasios Koulaouzidis Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health Diagnostics Raman spectroscopy gut microbiota gastrointestinal health non-invasive diagnostics microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids |
| title | Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health |
| title_full | Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health |
| title_fullStr | Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health |
| title_short | Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health |
| title_sort | application of raman spectroscopy in non invasive analysis of the gut microbiota and its impact on gastrointestinal health |
| topic | Raman spectroscopy gut microbiota gastrointestinal health non-invasive diagnostics microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/3/292 |
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