Postbiotic Pantry: Powering Up Food with Science

Inside our gut, a fascinating process takes place When probiotics (good bacteria) metabolize prebiotics (fibers), they produce a group of compounds known as Postbiotics.

- Naveen G & Kishore P

These are byproducts of natural metabolic processes-specifically fermentation, carried out by probiotic bacteria. They play a crucial role in supporting digestion, enhancing immunity, and even aiding in food preservation. As science continues to explore this emerging field, postbiotics are quickly becoming a key player in both health and food innovation.

Probiotics:

Probiotics are live microorganisms. They are essential beneficial microbes living in the gastrointestinal tract. One can enhance their intake of probiotics by consuming probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, or by utilizing high-quality probiotic supplements.

Prebiotics:

Similar to all living organisms, the microbes within your body require nourishment. Prebiotics are the substances that serve as food for these microbes. They contain various forms of complex carbohydrates, including starches, inulin, and pectin.

Postbiotics:

Postbiotics are the resultant byproducts derived from the interaction of probiotics and prebiotics. A postbiotic refers to an identified microorganism or its components that are either inactive or dead, yet still confer health benefits. Postbiotics are the byproducts of the natural metabolic process (fermentation) of probiotic bacteria.

Classification of Postbiotics:

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

SCFAs are group of metabolites generated by intestinal bacteria via the fermentation of plant polysaccharides. SCFAs includes Acetate, Propionate and butyrate are the fermented products of gut bacteria from dietary fibers like Bacteroides and Firmicutes (Thorakkattu et al., 2022).

Enzymes