Effects of a Saccharomyces uvarum Cell-Based Preparation on Gut Microbial Ecology and Metabolic Activity in Adults Without Diagnosed Gastrointestinal Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70121 Bari, Italy
- 2Internal Medicine Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70121 Bari, Italy
- 3Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70121 Bari, Italy
- 4Bioenologia 2.0 S.r.l., 31046 Oderzo, Italy
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Yeast-based probiotic candidates are increasingly investigated as potential modulators of gut ecology, although evidence in healthy individuals remains limited. This randomized, single-blind, crossover study primarily evaluated the tolerability of ATECREM Serius containing Saccharomyces uvarum SERIUS strain (>1010 CFU/g) and explored its effect on human gut microbiota. Methods: Forty-four volunteers completed the crossover intervention consisting of 2 months of ATECREM Serius (TRT1) and 2 months of placebo (PLT1), separated by 2 weeks of wash-out. Fecal microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while fecal and urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were profiled by GC–MS. Fecal free amino acids (FAAs) were also measured. Results: ATECREM Serius was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events. Differences were observed for three out of five α-diversity indices, while β-diversity differed between TRT1 and PLT1. The relative abundance and prevalence of Bifidobacteriaceae and Bacteroides were increased in TRT1, whereas Enterobacteriaceae and clostridia sensu stricto were limited compared to placebo. Fecal metabolomics indicated an enrichment of organic acids, particularly SCFAs, in TRT1, whereas propanoic acid was reduced in PLT1. Fecal tryptophan and histidine decreased in TRT1, and urinary metabolomics showed a clearer clustering between TRT0 and TRT1, including a significant decrease of 2,5-dimethylfuran. Conclusions: In adults, ATECREM Serius was well tolerated within the investigated population and intervention period. Secondary exploratory analyses identified treatment-associated differences in selected gut microbial taxa and metabolomic features, including the increase in Bifidobacterium abundance compared to placebo. These findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies.
Related
- Characterisation of microbial metabolite profiles across the gastrointestinal tract of horses fed on pasture, hay or oat-supplemented rations
- Fecal Metabolic and Microbial Responses to Five Acute Fueling Strategies During a 60-Minute Rowing Protocol: A Randomized Crossover Multi-Omics Pilot Study.
- Microbial biofilms promote biomineralization and reduce leaf decay under controlled ionic conditions.
- Effect of Pure EPA on Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acids During Supplementation and Washout: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT for weight loss maintenance in people with overweight and obesity: a controlled randomized trial
BibTeX
@article{vacca2026effects,
title = {{Effects of a Saccharomyces uvarum Cell-Based Preparation on Gut Microbial Ecology and Metabolic Activity in Adults Without Diagnosed Gastrointestinal Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study}},
author = {Mirco Vacca and Mohamad Khalil and Agostino Di Ciaula and Pasquale Filannino and Domenica Maria Di Palo and Francesco Maria Calabrese and Matteo Bernardi and Giuseppe Celano and Ilaria Iacobellis and Gabriella Garruti and Valery Ripari and Enrico Teardo and Maurizio Polo and Maria De Angelis and Piero Portincasa},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203380},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3380},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of a Saccharomyces uvarum Cell-Based Preparation on Gut Microbial Ecology and Metabolic Activity in Adults Without Diagnosed Gastrointestinal Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study
AU - Mirco Vacca
AU - Mohamad Khalil
AU - Agostino Di Ciaula
AU - Pasquale Filannino
AU - Domenica Maria Di Palo
AU - Francesco Maria Calabrese
AU - Matteo Bernardi
AU - Giuseppe Celano
AU - Ilaria Iacobellis
AU - Gabriella Garruti
AU - Valery Ripari
AU - Enrico Teardo
AU - Maurizio Polo
AU - Maria De Angelis
AU - Piero Portincasa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203380
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3380
AB - Background/Objectives: Yeast-based probiotic candidates are increasingly investigated as potential modulators of gut ecology, although evidence in healthy individuals remains limited. This randomized, single-blind, crossover study primarily evaluated the tolerability of ATECREM Serius containing Saccharomyces uvarum SERIUS strain (>1010 CFU/g) and explored its effect on human gut microbiota. Methods: Forty-four volunteers completed the crossover intervention consisting of 2 months of ATECREM Serius (TRT1) and 2 months of placebo (PLT1), separated by 2 weeks of wash-out. Fecal microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while fecal and urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were profiled by GC–MS. Fecal free amino acids (FAAs) were also measured. Results: ATECREM Serius was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events. Differences were observed for three out of five α-diversity indices, while β-diversity differed between TRT1 and PLT1. The relative abundance and prevalence of Bifidobacteriaceae and Bacteroides were increased in TRT1, whereas Enterobacteriaceae and clostridia sensu stricto were limited compared to placebo. Fecal metabolomics indicated an enrichment of organic acids, particularly SCFAs, in TRT1, whereas propanoic acid was reduced in PLT1. Fecal tryptophan and histidine decreased in TRT1, and urinary metabolomics showed a clearer clustering between TRT0 and TRT1, including a significant decrease of 2,5-dimethylfuran. Conclusions: In adults, ATECREM Serius was well tolerated within the investigated population and intervention period. Secondary exploratory analyses identified treatment-associated differences in selected gut microbial taxa and metabolomic features, including the increase in Bifidobacterium abundance compared to placebo. These findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -