Abstract: Bacteroides is one of the core members of the human gut microbial community. With the remarkable capability to degrade complex polysaccharides and producing abundant metabolites, it holds great potential and research value as a next-generation probiotic. Currently, research on Bacteroides mainly focuses on its metabolic and immunomodulatory functions. However, there is still a lack of systematic guidance on how to target and regulate these beneficial microorganisms through precise nutritional strategies. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress on the biological characteristics of Bacteroides at both the micro (genomics, inter-strain interactions, and metabolic networks) and macro (gut microbiota-host interaction mechanisms) levels. Based on the metabolic plasticity of Bacteroides, nutritional regulatory strategies are proposed, aiming to provide new insights for integrated multi-omics research and synthetic biology applications and to point out potential directions for promoting human health through microbiome intervention.

Key words: Bacteroides; polysaccharide utilization loci; metabolic plasticity; gut microbiota; precision nutrition