Written by Azadeh Khiabani, Ph.D. in Food Biotechnology
What are postbiotics?
Postbiotics are metabolites produced by probiotics, including the remains of dead probiotic cells and their metabolic byproducts.
According to the definition provided by the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), postbiotics are “a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host”. Therefore, postbiotics include non-viable bacteria, bacterial metabolites or components after bacterial lysis.
The main metabolites include extracellular polysaccharides, short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins and organic acids. The main components of bacteria are lipoteichoic acid, teichoic acid, peptidoglycan, derived polypeptides and cell surface proteins.
Due to the novelty of the subject of postbiotics and ongoing scientific research and extensive industrial application, the definition and scope of postbiotics are being revised and expanded.
Strains and safety evaluation of postbiotics
It is essential to clearly identify the genetic background and biological characteristics of the strains used to produce postbiotics. The identification, health efficacy, and safety evaluation should be conducted at the strain level. The bacterial active components found in postbiotics, are preserved similarly to live strains, and they retain high physiological activity even after undergoing high temperature processing and passing through the digestive tract.
When preparing postbiotics, it is crucial to analyze the compounds produced in detail. This analysis helps determine the effective factors and identify any potentially harmful substances that may be produced. Following this, toxicology and pharmacology analyses are necessary to assess the safety, health efficacy, and optimal usage of postbiotics.
Health benefits of postbiotics
- Increased immunity
Postbiotics have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. For example, the butyrate in postbiotics can reduce intestinal inflammation.
- Regulation of gut microbiota
Postbiotics contain antibacterial substances such as lactic acid and bacteriocin, which can balance the intestinal microbiome.
- Regulation of metabolism
Postbiotics can play a role in fighting metabolic disorders such as obesity, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Strengthening the function of the epithelial barrier
Postbiotics can protect the mucosa of the digestive tract.
- Promoting skin health and fighting colon cancer
Currently, research on the clinical efficacy of postbiotics is mainly based on animal tests, and more human clinical research is needed for confirmation.
Features of postbiotics
In addition to their beneficial health effects, postbiotics also offer the following benefits:
- Clear molecular composition
- Optimal safety profile
- Stable quality with a long shelf life
- Easy processing, unaffected by heat and pH, and the possibility of simultaneous administration with antibiotics
- A versatile product with various uses
Applications of postbiotics
Postbiotics have various applications, with significant value in the food industry. They can be used as food supplements or biological preservatives. Additionally, they play a beneficial role in treating certain diseases. Postbiotics can help reduce inflammation in the small intestine, alleviate constipation, and relieve allergies. These applications show promising potential for use in the medical field.
Incorporating postbiotics into medications and food supplements could emerge as a novel approach for adjunctive treatment of certain diseases.
For more information, please refer to the articles on (Probiotics), (Prebiotics), and (Synbiotics).
