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Indole-3-lactate (ILA)

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Is Indole-3-lactate a microbial metabolite?

Yes, Indole-3-lactate (ILA) is generated when gut bacteria metabolize tryptophan (or in some cases salvage exogenous indole) via the aromatic amino acid aminotransferase / indolelactate dehydrogenase (ArAT–ILDH) pathway, or via an aromatic lactate dehydrogenase (Aldh) pathway recently described in bifidobacteria (1).

Which bacteria can metabolize tryptophan to indole-3-lactate?

A broad and taxonomically diverse set of gut bacteria produce Indole-3-lactate (ILA), including:

Bifidobacterium species (Bifidobacterium longum infantis, Bifidobacterium lon…

References (Sources)

Bacterial indole-3-lactic acid affects epithelium–macrophage crosstalk to regulate intestinal homeostasis
Yu et al. 2023 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 120(45): e2309032120
Bifidobacteria with indole-3-lactic acid-producing capacity exhibit psychobiotic potential via reducing neuroinflammation
Qian et al. 2024 Cell Reports Medicine 5(11): 101798
Gut microbiota–derived tryptophan metabolites: molecular mechanisms, nutritional strategies and implications for swine health
Wen 2026 Front Vet Sci 13: 1807477
Review
Human gut-associated Bifidobacterium species salvage exogenous indole, a uremic toxin precursor, to synthesize indole-3-lactic acid via tryptophan
Yong et al. 2024 Gut Microbes 16(1): 2347728
Indole-3-lactic acid, a metabolite of tryptophan, secreted by Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis is anti-inflammatory in the immature intestine
Meng et al. 2020 Pediatr Res 88(2): 209-217
Lactobacillus plantarum-derived indole-3-lactic acid ameliorates colorectal tumorigenesis via epigenetic regulation of CD8(+) T cell immunity
Zhang et al. 2023b Cell Metab 35: 943-960
The Effect of Indole-3-Lactic Acid from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ZJ316 on Human Intestinal Microbiota In Vitro
Zhou et al. 2022 Foods 11(20): 3302

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8/24/2026

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