Utilization Efficiency of Human Milk Oligosaccharides by Human-Associated Akkermansia Is Strain Dependent

Abstract

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant component of breast milk and provide several benefits to developing infants, including the recruitment of beneficial bacteria to the human gut. Akkermansia strains are largely considered beneficial bacteria and have been detected in colostrum, breast milk, and young infants. A. muciniphila Muc T belonging to the AmI phylogroup contributes to the HMO deconstruction capacity of the infant. Here, using phylogenomics, we examined the genomic capacities of four Akkermansia phylogroups to deconstruct HMOs.