In vitro digestion and colonic fermentation of pistachios with/without seed coats may differently improve the colonic microbiota of an eveningness chronotype obese subject

• Published in: Food bioscience Vol. 69; p. 106980
• Main Authors: Dufoo-Hurtado, Elisa, Wall-Medrano, Abraham, Loarca-Piña, Guadalupe, López-González, Rocio Crystabel, Cruz-Hernández, Andrés, Campos-Vega, Rocio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Chronodisruption; Gut microbiota; Obesity; Pistachio; Gut microbiota; Pistachio; Obesity; Chronodisruption
• ISSN: 2212-4292
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2025.106980

Chronotype, reflecting day-night activity preferences, has been shown to induce gut microbiota dysbiosis. The colonic fermentation of pistachios produces beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), that may support both intestinal health and circadian regulation. This study evaluates changes in gut microbiota profile of an obese person with an evening chronotype after in vitro digestion of pistachios and subsequent colonic fermentation and their potential health effects. Pistachios (with and without seed coat; 4 g each) in vitro gastrointestinal digested (n = 4) were subjected to in vitro colonic fermentation using fecal inoculum from an obese donor with an evening chronotype (two fresh stool samples were collected over two independent days). The metabolic potential of the gut microbiota based on genomic data was predicted. The colonic microbiota profile was enhanced, characterized by an increase in alpha diversity (1.7–2.9; 0 h vs. 6 h; p < 0.05) and alterations at various taxonomic levels. Lachnospira decreased and Blautia increased in the Bacillota phyla (p < 0.05). The rise in the Dorea genus and Lachnospiraceae family (p < 0.05) is particularly significant due to their association with SCFAs production, and the inverse relation of increased Dorea levels and obesity. Lachnospira reduction (p < 0.05) is beneficial, as high levels have been linked to evening chronotype. Prediction of changed KEGG pathways highlighted the relevance of increased unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis and PPAR signaling pathway on the potential regulation of the donor's circadian clock by pistachio in vitro colonic fermentation. This exploratory study demonstrates, for the first time, the beneficial impact of in vitro pistachio colonic fermentation on the gut microbiota composition of an obese individual displaying an evening chronotype. Such interventions with pistachios may potentially mitigate health issues related to chronodisruption and intestinal dysbiosis, including obesity. [Display omitted] •Pistachio increase microorganisms' diversity and richness.•Pistachio increases the Dorea genus and Lachnospiraceae family.•Pistachio can selectively modulate g_Lachnospira.•Pistachio increased unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis and PPAR signaling pathway.•Pistachio may contribute to alleviate chronodisruption.