Screening of organic acids for nutritional and metabolic profiling from dried urine spots using Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer

User Benefits

- Rapid screening of organic acids for nutritional and metabolic profiling - Easy, quick and reliable sample preparation from urine matrix - Use of Smart Metabolites Database^TM Ver.2 and Automatic Adjustment of Retention Time (AART) function for quick identification

Introduction

Humans live in symbiosis with different bacteria. While some bacteria can contribute to a plethora of health benefits like protecting the host from the colonization of pathogenic bacteria, regulating the development of the gut or producing vitamins and hormones for the host, while some bacteria are also known to cause diseases. One of the important metabolites that can be produced by microbial processes are organic acids. Organic acids are compounds that are characterized by weak acidic properties. It is well established that almost all organisms produce organic acids of low molecular mass. Several organic acids are known to be specific products of bacterial metabolic action on dietary polyphenols or unassimilated amino acids or carbohydrates and are required as intermediates in major microbial metabolite pathways. Role of organic acids in human health Organic acids are the intermediary products in Kreb’s cycle and act as an energy source preventing the tissue breakdown. The main activity of organic acids is associated with a lowering in gastric pH converting the inactive pepsinogen to active pepsin. Excretion of supplemental minerals and nitrogen is minimized with organic acids as these form complexes with minerals and aid in their bioavailability. Also, organic acids have antimicrobial activity and can be both bacteriostatic and bactericidal. Due to this, they can inhibit pathogenic bacterial proliferation, improve the disturbed intestinal microflora balance and thus enhance total gastrointestinal tract digestibility. Clinical relevance of urinary organic acids as nutritional markers Organic acids may be tested to gain insights into how the body is functioning – nutrient levels, hormone function, and even the state of the microbiome which are immensely important for understanding our overall health. Screening of abnormally elevated levels of organic acids is a useful tool for individuals having specific medical issues known to cause nutrient deficiencies, such as gut disorders that impair nutrient absorption. Analysis of organic acids is an important tool to assess deeper layers of human biochemistry and digestive system imbalances from opportunistic organisms that conventional medicine often overlooks. In this application note, we have provided a proof of concept for rapid screening of organic acids from dried urine spots as potential markers for nutritional and metabolic profiling using Shimadzu Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer.

October 21, 2022 GMT