Comparative analysis of gut and skin microbiota from the coastal and non-coastal populations in Tamil Nadu using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: a pilot study
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmacology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education
- 2Ponnaiya’s Code and Genome Pvt Ltd.
- 3Medical Biotechnology Lab, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute
- 4Department of Microbiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education
- 5Department of Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo
Abstract
Background: The human gut and skin microbiota play a vital role in maintaining physiological balance and immune function. Factors such as age, diet, geography, and genetic factors influence their composition, and disruptions can contribute to metabolic alterations and chronic diseases. Coastal populations are exposed to environmental pollutants and experience disrupted gut microbial balance, impaired epithelial barrier integrity, and possibly dysbiosis-associated inflammatory responses. In this study, we aim to analyze microbiome diversity in coastal and non-coastal populations of Tamil Nadu, India, using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Methods: Fecal and skin swab samples were collected from 75 participants, 57 from coastal regions and 18 from non-coastal regions. DNA was extracted, and using the Illumina MiSeq platform, the 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. The alpha and beta diversity analyses compared the fecal and skin microbiota diversity and composition.
Results: The study revealed that Firmicutes dominated the gut microbiota in both coastal and non-coastal groups, with higher abundances of Bacilli and Clostridia in the coastal group. In skin swabs, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were predominant, with different clustering patterns observed in coastal samples. Beta diversity analyses revealed overlapping but distinct microbial communities between the two groups.
Conclusion: This pilot study highlights differences in gut and skin microbiota between coastal and non-coastal populations. However, further study with a larger sample size is required to better understand the impact of environmental exposures on human health.
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BibTeX
@article{thangamani2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative analysis of gut and skin microbiota from the coastal and non-coastal populations in Tamil Nadu using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: a pilot study}},
author = {Rithi Adhilakshmi Thangamani and Jayenth Jayachandran and Ashokkumar Jayavel and Sathish Kumar Malaikani Ponnaiya and Abhijit Mitra and Priyadarshini Shanmugam and Arunkumar Radhakrishnan and Antara Banerjee and Asim K. Duttaroy},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1849751},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1849751/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative analysis of gut and skin microbiota from the coastal and non-coastal populations in Tamil Nadu using 16S rRNA gene sequencing: a pilot study
AU - Rithi Adhilakshmi Thangamani
AU - Jayenth Jayachandran
AU - Ashokkumar Jayavel
AU - Sathish Kumar Malaikani Ponnaiya
AU - Abhijit Mitra
AU - Priyadarshini Shanmugam
AU - Arunkumar Radhakrishnan
AU - Antara Banerjee
AU - Asim K. Duttaroy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1849751
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1849751/full
AB - Background: The human gut and skin microbiota play a vital role in maintaining physiological balance and immune function. Factors such as age, diet, geography, and genetic factors influence their composition, and disruptions can contribute to metabolic alterations and chronic diseases. Coastal populations are exposed to environmental pollutants and experience disrupted gut microbial balance, impaired epithelial barrier integrity, and possibly dysbiosis-associated inflammatory responses. In this study, we aim to analyze microbiome diversity in coastal and non-coastal populations of Tamil Nadu, India, using 16S rRNA sequencing. Methods: Fecal and skin swab samples were collected from 75 participants, 57 from coastal regions and 18 from non-coastal regions. DNA was extracted, and using the Illumina MiSeq platform, the 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. The alpha and beta diversity analyses compared the fecal and skin microbiota diversity and composition. Results: The study revealed that Firmicutes dominated the gut microbiota in both coastal and non-coastal groups, with higher abundances of Bacilli and Clostridia in the coastal group. In skin swabs, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were predominant, with different clustering patterns observed in coastal samples. Beta diversity analyses revealed overlapping but distinct microbial communities between the two groups. Conclusion: This pilot study highlights differences in gut and skin microbiota between coastal and non-coastal populations. However, further study with a larger sample size is required to better understand the impact of environmental exposures on human health.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -