Abstract
B. ovatus is a member of the human gut microbiota with a broad capability to degrade complex glycans. Here we show that B. ovatus degrades plant polysaccharides in a preferential order, and that glycan structural complexity plays a role in determining the prioritisation of polysaccharide usage.
•Bacteroides ovatus has a broad capability to degrade complex glycans.•B. ovatus degrades plant glycans in a preferential order.•Glycan structural complexity plays a role in determining prioritisation of glycan usage.