Acetate
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
The most abundant short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria. Acetate is absorbed into the bloodstream and used as an energy source by peripheral tissues, and plays a role in appetite regulation and fat metabolism.
Related terms
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)
Metabolites produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fibre. The three main SCFAs — butyrate, propionate, and acetate — are critical for colon health, immune regulation, and energy metabolism.
Butyrate
The most studied short-chain fatty acid, produced primarily by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and other anaerobic bacteria. Butyrate is the primary energy source for colonocytes (colon lining cells) and has anti-inflammatory properties.