New knowledge about the gut microbiota and its interaction with the host’s metabolic regulation has emerged during the last few decades. Several factors may affect the composition of the gut microbiota, including dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is not hydrolyzed by human digestive enzymes, but it is acted upon by gut microbes, and metabolites like short-chain fatty acids are produced. The short-chain fatty acids may be absorbed into the circulation and affect metabolic regulation in the host or be a substrate for other microbes. Some studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity, weight regulation, and reduced inflammation with increases in gut-derived short-chain fatty acids, all of which may reduce the risk of developing metabolic diseases. To what extent a dietary intervention with fiber may affect the human gut microbiota and hence metabolic regulation, is however, currently not well described. The aim of the present review is to summarize recent research on human randomized, controlled intervention studies investigating the effect of dietary fiber on gut microbiota and metabolic regulation. Metabolic regulation is discussed with respect to markers relating to glycemic regulation and lipid metabolism. Taken together, the papers on which the current review is based, suggest that dietary fiber has the potential to change the gut microbiota and alter metabolic regulation. However, due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a firm conclusion describing the causal relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic regulation remains elusive.

Plastic pollution has become one of the most critical environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production, compounded by persistence of plastic wastes in the environment, are outpacing efforts to keep ecosystems plastic-free. A switch to plastics more amenable to microbial attack is one of several possible responses. Against this background, the current study describes the isolation, enumeration and polyphasic characterization of plastic-degrading bacteria present in Norwegian terrestrial and aquatic habits. It shows that these bacteria are present in relatively high numbers, and that plastic-degrading capabilities are found in several taxa, most especially Streptomyces. Some isolates wereable to degrade several plastics. Notably, a Rhodococcus sp. and a Streptomyces sp. degraded, respectively, four and six of the eight plastics investigated and a number of other polymers relevant for plastic blends. The paper also has a methodological aspect, presenting various approaches for assaying plastic-degrading properties and a PCR/sequencing-based approach for the identification of potential polyethylene terephthalate-degrading genes. A candidate gene was detected in several Streptomyces isolates. The study shows that Norwegian environments are a rich source of bacteria with the ability to degrade bioplastics possibly representing a natural remediation capacity, as well as a potential source of useful enzymes.

Polyethylene terephthalate is used in the manufacture of many products. Microbes able to hydrolyze the plastic are known, and offer promise for practical waste management. Screening for hydrolysis usually involves unwieldy culturing in the presence of film. A rapid screening method based on culturing on agar plates is here described.

Numerous articles have documented the existence of filterable bacteria. Where filtration is the chosen method of sterilization for medicinal or media components, these bacteria will by definition render products non-sterile. They may further represent a health hazard to the end user. A wide-range of bacterial genera were found in bottled and tap water filtrates from 0.2 μm filters, including genera housing opportunistic pathogens (e.g. Methylobacterium) and endospore formers (Paenibacillus). Two municipal tap water isolates were only distantly related to named species. One of these grew on agar, and could potentially provide hitherto unharvested useful biological products. The other grew only in water, and failed to produce colonies on media targeting either heterotrophs or autotrophs. The present study is one of very few looking at filterable bacteria in bottled waters intended for human consumption and the first identifying the filterable portion. It extends the range of known habitats of filterable bacteria and provides data on two new or novel species.