Propionate Production by Infant Fecal Microbiota Is Inversely Correlated with the Protein Glycation Level of Supplemented Infant Formula Ex Vivo

Our data indicate that high protein glycation increases microbial diversity and the relative abundance of <i>Clostridium neonatale</i> from 6.4% of the inoculum to around 25.5% of 20.8% glycation. Interestingly, propionate levels were inversely correlated with protein glycation levels after 24 h of incubation, with the 44.5% blocked lysine sample giving rise to 60% lower propionate levels as compared to the 6.4% sample. Higher propionate levels have been linked with longer uninterrupted sleep overnight, which could be indicative of the underlying mechanism of reduced crying/fussy time during nights for infants fed with a formula containing lower amounts of glycated protein.