DISTA – Quantification of density and metabolic activity of the total microbiome in distal segments of the host intestine (caecum, colon).

• The lower intestine (colon/caecum) is the intestinal section with the highest bacterial fermentation activity
• Acidic products of bacterial fermentation serve as an energy source for the host and have almost the same energy value as simple sugars
• High bacterial density indicates efficient utilisation of dietary components that have bypassed the digestive system of the host
• Increased activity indicates improved overall energy capture (feed conversion ratio)