Margarita Aguilera

University of Granada | UGR · Department of Microbiology

Human gut microbiota seems to drive the interaction with host metabolism through microbial metabolites, enzymes, and bioactive compounds. These components determine the host health-disease balance. Recent metabolomics and combined metabolome-microbiome studies have helped to elucidate how these substances could differentially affect the individual...

Abstract Human gut microbiota is the microbial community that, through the constant bidirectional communication with its host, plays the critical role of maintaining the state of eubiosis and health balance, contributing to food digestion, detoxification, and proper endocrine, neurological, immunological and potentially reproductive health. To this...

This work explores three areas of relevance to the gut microbiome in the context of One Health; the incorporation of the microbiome in food safety risk assessment of xenobiotics; the identification and application of beneficial microbial components to various areas under One Health, and specifically, in the context of antimicrobial resistance. We c...

Variation of gut microbiota in metabolic diseases seems to be related to dysbiosis induced by exposure to multiple substances called Microbiota Disrupting Chemicals (MDCs), which are present as environmental and dietary contaminants. Some recent studies have focused on elucidating the alterations of gut microbiota taxa and their metabolites as a co...

Best Oral Presentation Award.

In the original article [...]

The study aimed to isolate rare halophilic actinomycetes from hypersaline soils of Algerian inland Wetland Ecosystems “Sebkhas-Chotts” located in arid and hot hyper-arid lands with international importance under the Ramsar Convention and to explore their enzyme-producing and antibacterial abilities. The halophilic actinomycetes were selectively iso...

Three areas of relevance to the gut microbiome in the context of One Health were explored; the incorporation of the microbiome in food safety risk assessment of xenobiotics; the identification and application of beneficial microbial components to various areas under One Health, and; specifically, in the context of antimicrobial resistance. Although...

Abstract The expansion of fields related to probiotics, microbiome‐targeted interventions and an evolving landscape for implementation across policy, industry and end users, signifies an era of important clinical translational changes. Characteristics and perception of traditional probiotics stemmed from the historical long‐term use of fermented pr...

Obemirisk-Knowledge platform for assessing the risk of Bisphenols on gut microbiota and its role in obesogenic phenotype: looking for biomarkers" was a knowledge transfer project funded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that integrated a multidisciplinary team from Spain, France, Belgium, Slovakia and Poland. This project aimed to streng...

Chemical risk assessment in the context of the risk analysis framework was initially designed to evaluate the impact of hazardous substances or xenobiotics on human health. As the need of multiple stressors assessment was revealed to be more reliable regarding the occurrence and severity of the adverse effects in the exposed organisms, the cumulati...

Here, we report a first comprehensive genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in North African countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia, with respect to genomic clades and mutational patterns. As of December 2021, a total of 1669 high-coverage whole-genome sequences submitted to the EpiCoV GISAID database...

Integrated data from molecular and improved culturomics studies might offer holistic insights on gut microbiome dysbiosis triggered by xenobiotics, such as obesity and metabolic disorders. Bisphenol A (BPA), a dietary xenobiotic obesogen, was chosen for a directed culturing approach using microbiota specimens from 46 children with obesity and norma...

The variable taxa components of human gut microbiota seem to have an enormous biotechnological potential that is not yet well explored. To investigate the usefulness and applications of its biocompounds and/or bioactive substances would have a dual impact, allowing us to better understand the ecology of these microbiota consortia and to obtain reso...

Background Integrated data from culturomics and functional omics may depict holistic understanding on gut microbiome eubiosis or dysbiosis, and microbial isolates can become a source of differential enzymes and useful bioactive compounds. Culturing methods developed during last decade swift increases the importance of gut microbial isolates, focusi...

Histidine metabolism is a key pathway physiologically involved in satiety, recognition memory, skin, and neural protection and allergic diseases. Microbiologically-produced imidazole propionate induces type II diabetes and interferes with glucose lowering drugs. Despite their determinant health implications, no single method simultaneously assesses...

The cumulative dietary exposure to hazardous substances such as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC) that are present in common and processed food is continuously increasing (Gálvez-Ontiveros et al., 2021). Prolonged exposure to EDC seems to affect human health by triggering obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and even infertility (Bake...

Culturómica de microbiota humana para aislamiento de bacterias formadoras de esporas y metabolizadoras de obesógenos: Clostridium spp. y Bacillus spp.

Microbiome Culturing as Strategy for the Isolation of New Generation Probiotic (NGP) Taxa Repairing Effect of Microbiota Disrupting Chemicals (MDC)

The food enzyme trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) is extracted from porcine pancreas by Novozymes A/S. The food enzyme is intended to be used for hydrolysis of whey proteins employed as ingredients in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and in food for special medical purposes. Based on maximum use levels and the maximum permitted protein content in infant for...

Abstract The food enzyme is a serine protease complex containing trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) and chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) obtained from porcine pancreas by Paninkret Chem.‐Pharm. Werk GmbH. The food enzyme is currently only used in protein processing to hydrolyse milk proteins. Milk protein hydrolysates and peptides are mainly used in formulae intended...

Parabens are alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid which are extensively used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs due to their antimicrobial properties. The most commonly used parabens are methyl-(MeP), ethyl-(EtP), propyl-(PrP) and butyl-(BuP) paraben. Most human exposure to parabens is achieved through the consumption of food or pharmace...

Background: During early life, dynamic gut colonization and brain development co-occur with potential cross-talk mechanisms affecting behaviour. Methods: We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine the associations between gut microbiota and neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III in 71 full-term healt...

The combination of diet, lifestyle, and the exposure to food obesogens categorized into “microbiota disrupting chemicals” (MDC) could determine obesogenic-related dysbiosis and modify the microbiota diversity that impacts on individual health–disease balances, inducing altered pathogenesis phenotypes. Specific, complementary, and combined treatment...

Human gut microbiota harbors numerous microbial species with molecular enzymatic potential that impact on the eubiosis/dysbiosis and health/disease balances. Microbiota species isolation and description of their specific molecular features remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we focused on the cultivation and selection of species able t...

Obesogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogue bisphenol S (BPS), seem to play an important role in the development of obesity, although contradictory results have been reported. The aim of the present study was to conduct a gender analysis of the factors associated with exposure to dietary bisphenols in 585 S...

The use of probiotics in reproductive-related dysbiosis is an area of continuous progress due to the growing interest from clinicians and patients suffering from recurrent reproductive microbiota disorders. An imbalance in the natural colonization sites related to reproductive health—vaginal, cervicovaginal, endometrial, and pregnancy-related alter...

The cumulative dietary exposure to hazardous substances such as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC) that are present in common and processed food is continuously increasing (Gálvez-Ontiveros et al., 2021). Prolonged exposure to EDC seems to affect human health by triggering obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and even infertility (Bake...

The use of probiotics in reproductive-related dysbiosis is an area of continuous progress due to the growing interest from clinicians and patients suffering recurrent reproductive microbiota disorders. An imbalance in the natural colonization sites related to reproductive health: vaginal, cervicovaginal, endometrial and also pregnancy-related alter...

The food enzyme alternansucrase (sucrose:1,6(1,3)-α-d-glucan 6(3)-α-d-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.140) is produced with a non-genetically modified Leuconostoc citreum strain NRRL B-30894 by Cargill Incorporated. As a consequence of the absence of antimicrobial resistance genes identified in its genome, the production strain meets the criteria to...

The food enzyme is a protease complex, containing trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1), pancreatic elastase (EC 3.4.21.36) and carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.17.2), obtained from porcine pancreas by Neova Technologies Inc. The food enzyme is intended to be used for hydrolysis of whey proteins employed as ingredients of infant formulae, fol...

Given the widespread use of bisphenols and parabens in consumer products, the assessment of their intake is crucial and represents the first step towards the assessment of the potential risks that these compounds may pose to human health. In the present study, a total of 98 samples of food items commonly consumed by the Spanish population were coll...

Endogenous steroid hormones and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) interact with gut microbiota through different pathways. We suggest the use of the term “endobolome” when referring to the group of gut microbiota genes and pathways involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones and EDC. States of dysbiosis and reduced diversity of the gut microb...

Obesity is a growing health threat worldwide. Administration of probiotics in obesity has also parallelly increased but without any protocolization. We conducted a systematic review exploring the administration pattern of probiotic strains and effective doses for obesity-related disorders according to their capacity of positively modulating key bio...

The use of probiotics is an area of translational research in continuous progress due to the growing interest of fertility clinicians and their patients. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to collect and summarise relevant information from the available scientific literature on probiotics and their effective modulating role in fertility-...

Abstract The food enzyme endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (4‐β‐D‐xylan xylanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain RF5427 by AB Enzymes GmbH. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. It is intended...

Abstract The food enzyme with β‐glucanase and β‐xylanase (4‐β‐d‐xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) activities is produced with the non‐genetically modified Trichoderma reesei (strain DP‐Nya67) by DuPont. The food enzyme is intended to be used in brewing processes, grain treatment for the production of starch and gluten fractions, and distilled alco...

Human microbiota seems to play a key role in endocrine and reproductive systems. Fortunately, microbiota reproductive dysbiosis start to be treated by probiotics using typical species from genus Lactobacillus. This work presents the compiled and analysed results from the most up-to-date information from clinical trials regarding microbiota, fertili...

Abstract The food enzyme is a d‐xylose aldose‐ketose‐isomerase (EC 5.3.1.5) produced with the genetically modified Streptomyces rubiginosus strain DP‐Pzn37 by Danisco US Inc. Although the production strain contains antibiotic resistance genes, the food enzyme was shown to be free from viable cells of the production organism and its DNA. The food en...

Abstract The food enzyme with xylanases (4‐β‐d‐xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) and glucanases active against β‐1,4 linkages is produced with the non‐genetically modified fungus Disporotrichum dimorphosporum strain DXL by DSM Food Specialities B.V. The food enzyme is intended to be used in brewing processes. Based on the maximum use level and ind...

Abstract The food enzyme 1,4‐β‐d‐xylan xylanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with the non‐genetically modified strain Bacillus pumilus (strain BLXSC) by Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd. The food enzyme is intended to be used in baking processes, grain treatment for the production of starch and gluten fractions, and distilled alcohol production....

Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most well-known compound from the bisphenol family. As BPA has recently come under pressure, it is being replaced by compounds very similar in structure, but data on the occurrence of these BPA analogues in food and human matrices are limited. The main objective of this work was to investigate human exposure to BPA and anal...

This paper aims to characterize halophilic bacteria inhabiting Algerian Saline Ecosystems (Sebkha and Chott) located in arid and semi-arid ecoclimate zones (Northeastern Algeria). In addition, screening of enzymatic activities, heavy metal tolerance and antagonistic potential against phytopathogenic fungi were tested. A total of 74 bacterial isolat...

Abstract The food enzyme glucan 1,4‐α‐maltotetraohydrolase (4‐α‐d‐glucan maltotetraohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.60) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain DP‐Dzr46 by Danisco US Inc. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombin...

Abstract The food enzyme is an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (4‐β‐d‐xylan xylanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.8) produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain XAS. Antibiotic resistance genes are present in the production organism on a self‐replicative vector. The endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum us...

The food enzyme is an endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This xylanase is intended to be used in baking and cereal-...

In recent years, the development of innovative tools in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics (designated collectively as 'omics technologies) has opened up new possibilities for applications in scientific research and led to the availability of vast amounts of analytical data. The interpretation and integration of 'omics data can...

The food enzyme endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with a genetically modified Trichoderma reesei (strain DP-Nzd22) by DuPont. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The endo-1,4-β-xylanase is intended to be used in distilled...

European Food Safety Authority Conference 2018. Parma, Italia. 8-21/09/2018.

The food enzyme alpha-amylase (4-α-d-glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This α-amylase is intended to be us...

The food enzyme glucoamylase (glucan 1,4-α-glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This glucoamylase is intended to be used...

10th Annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies EDULEARN18. Palma de Mallorca, España. 2-4/07/2018.

10th Annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies EDULEARN18. Palma de Mallorca, España. 2-4/07/2018.

The food enzyme is an α-amylase (4-α-d-glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) produced with the genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM-AV by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme does not contain the production microorganism or its DNA; therefore, there is no safety concern for...

The food enzyme is an alpha-amylase (4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1), produced with the genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain NZYM-SB by Novozymes A/S. The food enzyme does not contain the production organism or its DNA; therefore, there is no safety concern for the environment. The alpha-amylase is intended for use in starch...

The food enzyme considered in this opinion is aqualysin 1 (EC 3.4.21.111), produced from the genetically modified strain Bacillus subtilis LMGS 25520 by Puratos NV. The production strain was not detected in the food enzyme. Aqualysin 1 is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use level recommended and individual consumption...

The food enzyme considered is a maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4-α-maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM-SM by Novozymes A/S. The food enzyme contains neither the production organism nor recombinant DNA. The maltogenic amylase is intended for use in baking processes and starch processing fo...

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumour initiation, metastasis and cancer recurrence, however the involvement of microenvironment is crucial. Here, we have analyzed how human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived conditioned medium (CM) affect colon and melanoma CSCs enrichment and maintenance. Our results strongly suggest that the secr...

The food enzyme is an endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger (strain XEA), by DSM Food Specialities B.V. The food enzyme is intended to be used in baking and brewing processes. Based on maximum use levels recommended for the food processes and individual consumption data from the EFSA Compr...

The diversity of haloarchaea associated with different dry salt lakes in northeastern Algeria was investigated together with their potential of hydrolytic enzyme production. A total of 68 aerobic halophilic archaea were isolated from saline sediments. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates were assigned to seven phylotypes within the c...

The food enzyme considered in this opinion is an endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain from Puratos N.V. (Belgium). The genetic modifications do not raise safety concerns. The food enzyme contains neither the production organism nor recombinant DNA. The endo-1,4-β-xylanase is intended to be u...

The food enzyme considered in this opinion is an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified Bacillussubtilis strain from Puratos N.V. (Belgium). The genetic modifications do not raise safety concerns. The food enzyme contains neither the production organism nor recombinant DNA. The endo-1,4-beta-xylanase is intended to...

Abstract The food enzyme considered in this opinion is a pullulanase (pullulan 6‐α‐glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.41) produced with a non‐genetically modified Pullulanibacillus naganoensis (strain AE‐PL) by Amano Enzyme Inc. (Japan). The pullulanase food enzyme is intended to be used in starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Since resi...

The food enzyme considered in this opinion is a pullulanase (pullulan 6-α-glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.41), produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM-AK by Novozymes A/S (Denmark). The pullulanase food enzyme is intended to be used in starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Since the residual amounts of tota...

The food enzyme considered in this opinion is a β-amylase (4-α-d-glucan maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.2), produced with genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM-JA by Novozymes A/S (Denmark). The β-amylase food enzyme is intended to be used in starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Since the residual amounts of total orga...