Modern concepts of the microbiome and its role in metabolic process regulation, health preservation, and performance

Modern ideas about the role of microorganisms and their metabolites in the regulation of metabolic processes in the human body are considered. The characteristics of the microbial community and intestinal phyla are given as factors that determine health protection and the main functions of the microbiota in the body. An analysis of the functional potential of representatives of the main phylogenetic lineages of the intestinal microbiota is given. Important properties of the microbiota are described, including: a protective biological barrier in the intestine and stimulation of the immune system. The ability of the obligate microflora to form a biofilm on the surface of the intestinal mucosa due to mucin and exopolysaccharides ensures the closure of adhesion receptors on epitheliocytes and the formation of an environment unfavorable for pathogenic microorganisms due to acidification of the intestinal contents and the release of bacteriocins. The microbiota, as a complex human ecosystem, is capable of effectively self-renewal and effective support of humoral immunity and anti-inflammatory status, which, in general, is aimed at maintaining human health and performance. A set of characteristics of a microbial consortium (immunometabolic, toxonomic, population) is presented, which are criteria for assessing the intestinal microflora of a healthy person and predicting the risks of diseases. The considered biohacking from the sphere of the intestinal microflora consortium can be used as methodological approaches in the development of biotechnological forms applicable in the technology of specialized products with targeted functional properties. In this direction, special attention is paid to the issues of revealing the mechanisms of metabolism regulation using pre-, pro- and metabiotics, the search for new metafiltrates, ultralysates that have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, its ecology and immunity. Considerable importance is given to innovative biotechnological solutions aimed at preserving the microorganisms used and ensuring their activity.