Component

Glyphosate

11 recorded relationships. Experimental role, claim status and evidence remain attached to each record.

Read recorded mechanisms Open recursive mind map

How nutrients influence it

Every nutrient with a recorded effect on this component, credited to the nutrient that acted rather than the chapter that recorded it. Open a nutrient to see the findings and the conditions they were measured under.

How nutrients reach it in more than one step

Chains of two or more recorded steps that end here, grouped by the nutrient they start from. Each step is a separate finding, so a chain is a route a mechanism could take, not proof that it does.

Tracing routes…

What it does

Every recorded relationship this component is part of, grouped by its role. Plain wording comes first; the technical statement follows.

Recorded relationships

What it acts on

  1. Overall alpha-diversity differences in the study were not significant (p=0.09).

    Glyphosate → Rat microbiome alpha diversity source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    Across glyphosate and MON52276 treatment groups in the 90-day rat study.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Diversity null does not erase metabolomic differences or establish absence of biological effect.
    plain_language
    Overall alpha-diversity differences in the study were not significant (p=0.09).
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 37-37; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 37–37

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Across glyphosate and MON52276 treatment groups in the 90-day rat study. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **An upstream pool can rise when flux is blocked.** Mesnage 2021 compared pure glyphosate and Roundup MON52276 in female Sprague–Dawley rats for 90 days at 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent exposures, with 12 animals per group. Cecal shikimate and DHS accumulation supported pathway inhibition; abundance alone was less informative. The collection records study-level accumulation rather than asserting every dose had an identical significant effect. Overall alpha-diversity differences were not significant (p=0.09), while beta diversity differed. Selected low-abundance taxa changed, and formulation-specific differences remained. Serum shikimate was undetected with the employed method, whose sensitivity and protein interference limit a zero-exposure interpretation. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  2. Pure glyphosate did not inhibit growth under the cited GT+-sensitive test conditions.

    Glyphosate → Lactobacillus rhamnosus growth in formulation-comparison assays source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_contrast
    {"intervention": "glyphosate at the reported tested concentration", "comparator": "Matched culture without formulation", "endpoint": "Pure glyphosate did not inhibit growth under the cited GT+-sensitive test conditions.", "effect_direction": "no_detected_change", "combination": "single", "conditions": []} Explicit extracted experimental comparison; source-derived draft.
    experimental_model
    Bacterial culture comparison separate from the rat study.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Specific formulation and concentration comparison, not universal absence or presence of inhibition.
    plain_language
    Pure glyphosate did not inhibit growth under the cited GT+-sensitive test conditions.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 39-39; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 39–39

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Bacterial culture comparison separate from the rat study. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **Microbial metabolites do not automatically establish host deficiency.** The same rat study recorded cecal changes in cysteinylglycine, gamma-glutamylglutamine and valylglycine, among other metabolites. These pools are not direct measurements of host glutathione synthesis, nutrient sufficiency or pathway flux. In separate bacterial culture comparisons, Roundup GT+ suppressed L. rhamnosus growth under conditions where pure glyphosate and MON52276 did not. Formulations therefore retain separate actor identities. A dose in mg/kg/day cannot be converted into a microbial mM exposure without measured concentration, distribution and time. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  3. The 90-day glyphosate study recorded cecal 3-dehydroshikimate accumulation consistent with pathway inhibition.

    Glyphosate → Rat cecal DHS accumulation source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    Female Sprague–Dawley rats; 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent groups; 12/group.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Study-level direction; no unsupported per-dose significance claim. Pool accumulation is not increased downstream flux.
    plain_language
    The 90-day glyphosate study recorded cecal 3-dehydroshikimate accumulation consistent with pathway inhibition.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 37-37; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 37–37

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Female Sprague–Dawley rats; 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent groups; 12/group. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **An upstream pool can rise when flux is blocked.** Mesnage 2021 compared pure glyphosate and Roundup MON52276 in female Sprague–Dawley rats for 90 days at 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent exposures, with 12 animals per group. Cecal shikimate and DHS accumulation supported pathway inhibition; abundance alone was less informative. The collection records study-level accumulation rather than asserting every dose had an identical significant effect. Overall alpha-diversity differences were not significant (p=0.09), while beta diversity differed. Selected low-abundance taxa changed, and formulation-specific differences remained. Serum shikimate was undetected with the employed method, whose sensitivity and protein interference limit a zero-exposure interpretation. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  4. Glyphosate inhibited cp4-epsps with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 11 millimolar.

    Glyphosate → Agrobacterium strain CP4 EPSP synthase source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full-text HTML and indexed abstract reviewed for the stated results; archived locally.
    experimental_contrast
    {"intervention": "Glyphosate titration", "comparator": "Enzyme without glyphosate", "endpoint": "Glyphosate inhibited cp4-epsps with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 11 millimolar.", "effect_direction": "decrease", "combination": "single", "conditions": []} Explicit extracted experimental comparison; source-derived draft.
    experimental_model
    Purified enzyme comparison, Funke 2006.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    IC50 depends on assay conditions; not a growth threshold, dietary exposure limit or complete microbiome response.
    plain_language
    Glyphosate inhibited cp4-epsps with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 11 millimolar.
    primary_references
    Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops. | 2006 | DOI 10.1073/pnas.0603638103 | PMID 16916934 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16916934/ | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0603638103 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1559744/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 17-17; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 17–17

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Purified enzyme comparison, Funke 2006. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **EPSPS uses a second PEP molecule.** E. coli EPSPS (AroA) transfers an enolpyruvyl group from a second PEP molecule to shikimate-3-phosphate, making 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) and phosphate. Glyphosate inhibits this enzyme by occupying the PEP-associated substrate site in the substrate-bound enzyme. Purified-enzyme IC50 estimates were about 2.5 µM for E. coli EPSPS and 11 mM for CP4 EPSPS. These are not interchangeable microbial-growth thresholds or human intestinal effect concentrations. Adding shikimate upstream does not remove the need for EPSPS downstream. [Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16916934/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  5. Glyphosate inhibited ecoli-aroa with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 2.5 micromolar.

    Glyphosate → Escherichia coli EPSP synthase / AroA source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full-text HTML and indexed abstract reviewed for the stated results; archived locally.
    experimental_contrast
    {"intervention": "Glyphosate titration", "comparator": "Enzyme without glyphosate", "endpoint": "Glyphosate inhibited ecoli-aroa with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 2.5 micromolar.", "effect_direction": "decrease", "combination": "single", "conditions": []} Explicit extracted experimental comparison; source-derived draft.
    experimental_model
    Purified enzyme comparison, Funke 2006.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    IC50 depends on assay conditions; not a growth threshold, dietary exposure limit or complete microbiome response.
    plain_language
    Glyphosate inhibited ecoli-aroa with an approximate purified-enzyme IC50 of 2.5 micromolar.
    primary_references
    Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops. | 2006 | DOI 10.1073/pnas.0603638103 | PMID 16916934 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16916934/ | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0603638103 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1559744/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 17-17; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 17–17

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Purified enzyme comparison, Funke 2006. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **EPSPS uses a second PEP molecule.** E. coli EPSPS (AroA) transfers an enolpyruvyl group from a second PEP molecule to shikimate-3-phosphate, making 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) and phosphate. Glyphosate inhibits this enzyme by occupying the PEP-associated substrate site in the substrate-bound enzyme. Purified-enzyme IC50 estimates were about 2.5 µM for E. coli EPSPS and 11 mM for CP4 EPSPS. These are not interchangeable microbial-growth thresholds or human intestinal effect concentrations. Adding shikimate upstream does not remove the need for EPSPS downstream. [Molecular basis for the herbicide resistance of Roundup Ready crops.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16916934/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  6. The 90-day glyphosate study recorded cecal shikimate accumulation consistent with pathway inhibition.

    Glyphosate → Rat cecal shikimate accumulation source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    Female Sprague–Dawley rats; 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent groups; 12/group.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Study-level direction; no unsupported per-dose significance claim. Pool accumulation is not increased downstream flux.
    plain_language
    The 90-day glyphosate study recorded cecal shikimate accumulation consistent with pathway inhibition.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 37-37; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 37–37

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Female Sprague–Dawley rats; 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent groups; 12/group. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **An upstream pool can rise when flux is blocked.** Mesnage 2021 compared pure glyphosate and Roundup MON52276 in female Sprague–Dawley rats for 90 days at 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent exposures, with 12 animals per group. Cecal shikimate and DHS accumulation supported pathway inhibition; abundance alone was less informative. The collection records study-level accumulation rather than asserting every dose had an identical significant effect. Overall alpha-diversity differences were not significant (p=0.09), while beta diversity differed. Selected low-abundance taxa changed, and formulation-specific differences remained. Serum shikimate was undetected with the employed method, whose sensitivity and protein interference limit a zero-exposure interpretation. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  7. Environmental aromatic-amino-acid availability modified bacterial susceptibility in the two-week glyphosate study.

    Glyphosate → Rat/microbial glyphosate response with environmental aromatic amino acids source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary indexed abstract reviewed; full results, tables and supplements not independently extracted.
    experimental_model
    Nielsen 2018 rats and microbial nutrient-context assays.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    No universal gut effect threshold or assertion that every metabolic function remained unchanged.
    plain_language
    Environmental aromatic-amino-acid availability modified bacterial susceptibility in the two-week glyphosate study.
    primary_references
    Glyphosate has limited short-term effects on commensal bacterial community composition in the gut environment due to sufficient aromatic amino acid levels. | 2018 | DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.016 | PMID 29096310 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29096310/ | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.016
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 35-35; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 35–35

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Nielsen 2018 rats and microbial nutrient-context assays. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **Nutrient environment changes glyphosate sensitivity.** Nielsen 2018 tested pure glyphosate and Glyfonova 450 PLUS in rats for two weeks, including 25 mg/kg/day. Community-composition effects were limited in that setting; bacterial responses depended on available aromatic amino acids. This is not a blanket null for every microbial function. The study also reported reduced acetate and correlations involving intestinal glyphosate concentration and pH. Preserve compound, preparation, duration and nutrient conditions instead of declaring all bacteria uniformly resistant or sensitive. [Glyphosate has limited short-term effects on commensal bacterial community composition in the gut environment due to sufficient aromatic amino acid levels.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29096310/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  8. The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal cysteinylglycine.

    Glyphosate → Rat cecal cysteinylglycine pool source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Not direct host glutathione flux, nutrient depletion, or per-dose replicated effect.
    plain_language
    The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal cysteinylglycine.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 39-39; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 39–39

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · 90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **Microbial metabolites do not automatically establish host deficiency.** The same rat study recorded cecal changes in cysteinylglycine, gamma-glutamylglutamine and valylglycine, among other metabolites. These pools are not direct measurements of host glutathione synthesis, nutrient sufficiency or pathway flux. In separate bacterial culture comparisons, Roundup GT+ suppressed L. rhamnosus growth under conditions where pure glyphosate and MON52276 did not. Formulations therefore retain separate actor identities. A dose in mg/kg/day cannot be converted into a microbial mM exposure without measured concentration, distribution and time. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  9. The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal gamma-glutamylglutamine.

    Glyphosate → Rat cecal gamma-glutamylglutamine pool source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Not direct host glutathione flux, nutrient depletion, or per-dose replicated effect.
    plain_language
    The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal gamma-glutamylglutamine.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 39-39; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 39–39

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · 90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **Microbial metabolites do not automatically establish host deficiency.** The same rat study recorded cecal changes in cysteinylglycine, gamma-glutamylglutamine and valylglycine, among other metabolites. These pools are not direct measurements of host glutathione synthesis, nutrient sufficiency or pathway flux. In separate bacterial culture comparisons, Roundup GT+ suppressed L. rhamnosus growth under conditions where pure glyphosate and MON52276 did not. Formulations therefore retain separate actor identities. A dose in mg/kg/day cannot be converted into a microbial mM exposure without measured concentration, distribution and time. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  10. The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal valylglycine.

    Glyphosate → Rat cecal valylglycine pool source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Not direct host glutathione flux, nutrient depletion, or per-dose replicated effect.
    plain_language
    The rat glyphosate/formulation study recorded increased cecal valylglycine.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 39-39; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 39–39

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · 90-day rat metabolomics; study-level observed pool change. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **Microbial metabolites do not automatically establish host deficiency.** The same rat study recorded cecal changes in cysteinylglycine, gamma-glutamylglutamine and valylglycine, among other metabolites. These pools are not direct measurements of host glutathione synthesis, nutrient sufficiency or pathway flux. In separate bacterial culture comparisons, Roundup GT+ suppressed L. rhamnosus growth under conditions where pure glyphosate and MON52276 did not. Formulations therefore retain separate actor identities. A dose in mg/kg/day cannot be converted into a microbial mM exposure without measured concentration, distribution and time. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

  11. Serum shikimate was not detected by the reported analytical method in the 90-day study.

    Glyphosate → Rat serum shikimate detection in the Mesnage assay source_derived_draftungraded
    Experimental context and source evidence
    evidence_access
    Primary full text retrieved; relevant methods/results/figures reviewed. Selective extraction, not raw-data reanalysis or exhaustive supplemental extraction.
    experimental_model
    Rat serum assay with matrix and sensitivity limitations.
    interpretation_status
    Source-derived extraction of a fact-checked reference; access is explicit, not independent raw-data verification.
    limitations
    Non-detection is not zero concentration, proof of no absorption or a measured decline.
    plain_language
    Serum shikimate was not detected by the reported analytical method in the 90-day study.
    primary_references
    Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats. | 2021 | DOI 10.1289/ehp6990 | PMID 33502259 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/ | https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp6990 | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839352/
    source_locator
    Reviewed reference lines 37-37; exact primary location described in quoted passage where extracted.

    Shikimic acid: detailed mechanisms of action (reviewed 5 October 2026) · lines 37–37

    Original AI-assisted review of primary studies and, where relevant, official regulatory records. Access level is retained per claim. Corrections, null results and unresolved questions remain explicit. Not publisher full text or independent replication. · supports · Rat serum assay with matrix and sensitivity limitations. · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

    **An upstream pool can rise when flux is blocked.** Mesnage 2021 compared pure glyphosate and Roundup MON52276 in female Sprague–Dawley rats for 90 days at 0.5, 50 and 175 mg/kg/day glyphosate-equivalent exposures, with 12 animals per group. Cecal shikimate and DHS accumulation supported pathway inhibition; abundance alone was less informative. The collection records study-level accumulation rather than asserting every dose had an identical significant effect. Overall alpha-diversity differences were not significant (p=0.09), while beta diversity differed. Selected low-abundance taxa changed, and formulation-specific differences remained. Serum shikimate was undetected with the employed method, whose sensitivity and protein interference limit a zero-exposure interpretation. [Use of Shotgun Metagenomics and Metabolomics to Evaluate the Impact of Glyphosate or Roundup MON 52276 on the Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolome of Sprague-Dawley Rats.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33502259/)
    Complete structured claim and evidence

In the sources

Preserved passages that mention this component, quoted exactly. Open one to read it in context.

    This is a research prototype built from draft material. It is not medical advice, and its statements still await verification against the original studies.