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  • Glossary item | 19 Mar 2025

Microbiome

Bioeconomy

Microbiomes are a complex and dynamic network of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea) that adapt and live in a functional relationship with their specific habitats (e.g. human, soil, plant, water, animals, production sites along the food chain) (Berg et al., 2020). Neighbouring microbiome ecosystems exert mutual influences, even when physically separated (e.g. animal and soil) (Flandroy et al., 2018). In addition, microbiomes are very sensitive to environmental conditions and exposure to substances of different nature. In humans, various factors (e.g. genetics, diet, drugs, lifestyle, oxygen, pH) contribute to shaping the microbiomes’ subpopulations along the various sections of the gastrointestinal tract (Shetty et al., 2017).

FAO. 2022. Thinking about the future of food safety - A foresight report. Rome.

Source category: International Organisation