Scientists discover metabolic capacities of gut bacterial enzymes linked to growth in malnourished children

Researchers have identified a gut bacterial enzyme with metabolic capacities linked to better growth in Bangladeshi children receiving therapeutic food to nurture healthy gut microbes. The microbiota-targeted therapeutic food (MDCF-2) nourishes the collections of beneficial gut microbes and improves children’s growth and other health measures. 

MDCF-2 was developed by a team from the Washington University School of Medicine (WashU Medicine) in St. Louis, US, based on an earlier clinical trial. The team linked the presence of a bacteria strain in the gut of malnourished children to age-appropriate growth.