By Priyanjana Pramanik, MSc.Apr 17 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent review article published in the journal Environmental International, researchers conducted a systematic review of observational and interventional studies evaluating the relationship between greenspace exposure and human microbiota across various anatomical sites.
Although findings are mixed, human microbiota, crucial for immune function and metabolic health, may be influenced by greenspace. Understanding this relationship could elucidate mechanisms behind greenspace's health effects. Findings After several rounds of screening, the qualitative synthesis included 20 articles from 35 countries, including Finland, Canada, the United States, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia.
Amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene was common, with pipelines like Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology , Mothur, or Usearch used for bioinformatic analysis. Outcomes included alpha diversity, beta diversity, and relative abundance of taxa. From the 10 studies examining the relationship between greenspace exposure and human skin microbiota. Cross-sectional and interventional studies reveal positive associations between greenspace and skin microbiota alpha diversity, altered compositions, and changes in taxa abundances.