Lycopene regulates gut fungi by promoting Lactobacillus johnsonii growth and altering vitamin B6 metabolism, which in turn suppresses the fungal genus Trichocladium, rather than acting directly on fungi itself.
Key Findings
Results
Lycopene significantly promoted the growth of beneficial bacterial species, particularly Lactobacillus johnsonii, in vivo.
In vivo experiments demonstrated significant increases in L. johnsonii abundance following lycopene treatment.
Lycopene altered microbial community composition with a focus on beneficial species.
The study used in vivo models to assess changes in gut microbiota composition.
Results
Lycopene altered microbial vitamin B6 metabolism in vivo, an effect confirmed by metabolomics analysis.
Metabolomics analysis confirmed that lycopene enhanced vitamin B6 metabolism.
Changes in vitamin B6 metabolic pathways were observed as a downstream effect of lycopene treatment.
Both in vivo experiments and metabolomics data consistently supported the effect on vitamin B6 metabolism.
Results
In vitro fermentation using human gut microbiota confirmed similar effects of lycopene on microbial communities and vitamin B6 metabolism as observed in vivo.
Human gut microbiota fermentation experiments were used to validate in vivo findings.
Effects on vitamin B6 metabolism were reproduced in the in vitro fermentation system.
The in vitro model supported the translational relevance of findings to human gut microbiota.
Results
Vitamin B6, rather than lycopene itself, significantly reduced the abundance of the fungal genus Trichocladium.
Monoculture experiments with Trichocladium demonstrated that vitamin B6 directly suppressed Trichocladium abundance.
Lycopene did not directly exert antifungal effects on Trichocladium in monoculture.
Inhibition experiments involving both bacteria and fungi, along with vitamin B6 antagonism, confirmed the vitamin B6-mediated mechanism.
The findings establish an indirect pathway: lycopene → L. johnsonii → vitamin B6 → Trichocladium suppression.
Results
Changes in L. johnsonii abundance and Trichocladium abundance were mediated through vitamin B6 metabolism, as confirmed by bacterial and fungal inhibition experiments with vitamin B6 antagonism.
Inhibition of bacteria and fungi combined with antagonism of vitamin B6 confirmed the mechanistic link between L. johnsonii and Trichocladium via vitamin B6.
The experimental design included conditions blocking vitamin B6 activity to demonstrate its necessity in the observed effects.
Results confirmed significant changes in both L. johnsonii and Trichocladium abundance were dependent on vitamin B6 metabolism.
Results
Structural equation modeling revealed lycopene's potential in modulating fungi within the gut ecosystem through an indirect bacterial-metabolite pathway.
Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to characterize the relationships among lycopene, bacteria, vitamin B6, and fungi.
The SEM supported a pathway by which lycopene modulates fungal populations indirectly via bacterial vitamin B6 metabolism.
SEM provided a systems-level perspective on lycopene's role in the gut ecosystem.
Background
Fungal dysbiosis is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in gut-related diseases, yet natural antifungal agents remain scarce.
The study was motivated by the limited availability of natural antifungal agents targeting gut fungi.
Lycopene's effects on gut fungi had not previously been clearly established.
The study positions lycopene as a candidate natural agent for addressing fungal dysbiosis.
Liu C, Cheng Y, Pan X, Ma R, Tian Y. (2026). Lycopene Regulates Gut Fungi through Bacterial Vitamin B6-Mediated Trichocladium Suppression.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c11407