fig3

Figure 3. Comparison of sample storage condition and time on pathway responses. (A) Samples collected with the GutAlive kit and stored under room temperature for 24 and 72 h were compared with samples collected with our in-house buffer and stored at 4 °C for the same period of time for their maintenance of microbiome functionality by assessing functional responses to kestose using the RapidAIM protocol; (B) PC1 vs. PC2; (C) PC2 vs. PC3; (D) Hierarchical clustering of samples showing 72-hour samples of GutAlive differentiated from 72-hour samples of our in-house buffer; (E) Comparison of the responses of 72-hour samples to kestose between the (in-house) Buffer group and GutAlive group, Euler plot (area proportional Venn plot) showing numbers of significantly increased COGs by t-test (P values-adjusted by FDR); (F) Pathways corresponding to significantly increased COGs in response to kestose. COGs only in the GutAlive group (blue lines), only in the Buffer group (red lines), and shared responses (black lines) are shown.