Metabolome
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
The complete set of small-molecule metabolites (such as short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and bile acids) found within a biological system. The gut metabolome — largely produced or modified by the microbiome — provides functional information about what gut bacteria are actually doing, beyond simply which species are present.
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.
Metagenome
The collective genetic material of all microorganisms in a given environment. The human gut metagenome contains roughly 150 times more genes than the human genome.