A co-authored paper by researcher Miura of the DMPK & Safety Business Unit was published in Metabolites

2026.03.09

Investigation of storage conditions and quality control markers for metabolites and lipids in human feces

Publication
Published Date: February 4, 2026

Evaluating metabolites and lipids in fecal samples is crucial for gut microbiome and disease-related research. However, the effect of storage conditions on the stability of metabolites and lipids in feces remains insufficiently understood, posing a challenge for establishing standardized storage protocols. In this study, we systematically evaluated the stability of metabolites and lipids by analyzing time-dependent changes under room temperature, 4°C, and −20°C. The results revealed that while some metabolites and lipids fluctuate within 2 to 6 hours at room temperature or 4℃, most components remained stable for up to two weeks at −20°C. Furthermore, we have successfully identified the ratios of methionine to S-methyl-5-thioadenosine, xanthine to inosine, and N-linoleoyl leucine to 1,2-dilinoleoyl-sn-glycerol as potential quality control markers for assessing fecal samples integrity. Based on these findings, this study provides practical guidelines for handling specimens to discover reliable disease biomarkers and advance gut microbiome research.

Please also refer to the news release from the Japan Microbiome Consortium:
https://jmbc.life/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026.02.04.pdf

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