Acetogenic Bacteria Mainly Contribute to the Disposal of Hydrogen in the Colon of Healthy Japanese

Abstract

Hydrogen-utilizing bacteria in the feces of Japanese individuals were analyzed with the specific polymerase chain reaction targeting the functional genes. The formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase gene derived from acetogenic bacteria was predominantly detected in all subjects. We consider that reductive acetogenesis might be an important H 2 disposal pathway in healthy Japanese.