Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries

Abstract

Probiotics, like lactic acid bacteria, are non-pathogenic microbes that exert health benefits to the host when administered in adequate quantity. Currently, research is being conducted on the molecular events and applications of probiotics. The suggested mechanisms by which probiotics exert their action include; competitive exclusion of pathogens for adhesion sites, improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier, gut immunomodulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. This review emphasizes the recent advances in the health benefits of probiotics and the emerging applications of probiotics in the food industry. Due to their capability to modulate gut microbiota and attenuate the immune system, probiotics could be used as an adjuvant in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and gastrointestinal diseases. Considering the functional properties, probiotics are being used in the dairy, beverage, and baking industries. After developing the latest techniques by researchers, probiotics can now survive within harsh processing conditions and withstand GI stresses quite effectively. Thus, the potential of probiotics can efficiently be utilized on a commercial scale in food processing industries.

Emerging Approaches for Mitigating Biofilm-Formation-Associated Infections in Farm, Wild, and Companion Animals

“…Compared to antibiotics, probiotics are an attractive alternative treatment, as antibiotics can have a destructive effect on the gut microbiota and the resistance acquired by microorganisms [ 281 ]. The mechanisms of action of probiotics include the inhibition of pathogen adhesion, production of antimicrobial components, competitive exclusion of microorganisms, improvement in intestinal barrier function, reduction in luminal pH, and modulation of the immune system [ 282 , 283 ]. More specifically, it has been described that probiotic supplementation may influence the development of adaptive traits in neutrophils and other innate immune cells [ 284 ].…”

Exploring the Interplay between COVID-19 and Gut Health: The Potential Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Immune Support

“…Probiotics are key in modulating the gut microbiota and the immune system ( Figure 2 ). Their roles include exerting antiallergic effects, anticancer activities, influencing inflammatory intestinal diseases, and impacting neurological disorders [ 38 ]. The metabolites produced by probiotics are gaining recognition for their importance in facilitating host–microbe interactions, which can be nutritionally influenced.…”

Encapsulation techniques, action mechanisms, and evaluation models of probiotics: Recent advances and future prospects

“…Probiotics, especially Lactobacillus, Bacillus (Cao et al, 2020;Maity et al, F I G U R E 1 Schematic representation of the physicochemical conditions in different regions of the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (Barajas-Lvarez et al, 2021). beneficial healthcare or therapeutic effects, for example, maintaining serum cholesterol levels (Jiménez-Avalos et al, 2020), enhancing immunity (Schultz & Burton, 2017), promoting anticarcinogenic activity (Henker et al, 2007), and reducing the incidence of allergies, inflammatory diseases, cancer, hypercholesterolemia, lactose intolerance, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (Latif et al, 2023).…”