Taxiing through the gut: Formic acid in the microbiome

Screenshot 2026-02-09 125311

Source: Jennifer Roth, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt

Scientists have found that the gut bacterium Blautia luti produces formic acid (formate) instead of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen, with hydrogen bound to CO₂. In this case, formic acid is the electron taxi, allowing the energetically costly production of hydrogen to be bypassed.

 Registered users, subscribers or members - SIGN IN

To continue reading this article

Membership

Included as a benefit

Members of Applied Microbiology International have unlimited access to The Microbiologist as a benefit of membership. Just sign in with your usual membership credentials.

I AM A MEMBER

Find out more about how to join.

 

Register

FREE

Want to read more before deciding on a subscription? It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account and you’ll get to enjoy more free content each month.

REGISTER

 

Subscribe

3.75 per month / £35 annually

Get unlimited access to The Microbiologist.

SUBSCRIBE