The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review

Postbiotics, as the metabolic products and cellular components of probiotics, possess the characteristics of being non-living yet retaining biological activity. Postbiotics have unique advantages such as high stability, good security, and a clear target of action. In recent years, they have attracte...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ying Zhu, Meiling Xiao, Tangying Kang, Yufeng He, Jiayan Zhang, Yansheng Zhao, Xiang Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2358
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849703769156091904
author Ying Zhu
Meiling Xiao
Tangying Kang
Yufeng He
Jiayan Zhang
Yansheng Zhao
Xiang Xiao
author_facet Ying Zhu
Meiling Xiao
Tangying Kang
Yufeng He
Jiayan Zhang
Yansheng Zhao
Xiang Xiao
author_sort Ying Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Postbiotics, as the metabolic products and cellular components of probiotics, possess the characteristics of being non-living yet retaining biological activity. Postbiotics have unique advantages such as high stability, good security, and a clear target of action. In recent years, they have attracted extensive attention due to their potential roles in immune regulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antibacterial activity, and improving intestinal health. This article systematically reviews the composition of postbiotics and their diversity in fermented foods, with a focus on the impact of different inactivation methods (thermal and non-thermal inactivation) on their biological activities. Many studies have shown that the choice of inactivation method directly affects the immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative functions of postbiotics. Additionally, this review summarizes the application potential of postbiotics in the food industry, the field of medicine and food homology, pet food, and animal breeding, and points out the challenges existing in current research. Future studies need to focus on optimizing inactivation methods to maximize the biological efficacy of postbiotics, thereby promoting the precise application of postbiotics in various fields.
format Article
id doaj-art-e385e70666064f72926fc65d79519a49
institution DOAJ
issn 2304-8158
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Foods
spelling doaj-art-e385e70666064f72926fc65d79519a492025-08-20T03:17:07ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011413235810.3390/foods14132358The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A ReviewYing Zhu0Meiling Xiao1Tangying Kang2Yufeng He3Jiayan Zhang4Yansheng Zhao5Xiang Xiao6School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaSchool of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaPostbiotics, as the metabolic products and cellular components of probiotics, possess the characteristics of being non-living yet retaining biological activity. Postbiotics have unique advantages such as high stability, good security, and a clear target of action. In recent years, they have attracted extensive attention due to their potential roles in immune regulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antibacterial activity, and improving intestinal health. This article systematically reviews the composition of postbiotics and their diversity in fermented foods, with a focus on the impact of different inactivation methods (thermal and non-thermal inactivation) on their biological activities. Many studies have shown that the choice of inactivation method directly affects the immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative functions of postbiotics. Additionally, this review summarizes the application potential of postbiotics in the food industry, the field of medicine and food homology, pet food, and animal breeding, and points out the challenges existing in current research. Future studies need to focus on optimizing inactivation methods to maximize the biological efficacy of postbiotics, thereby promoting the precise application of postbiotics in various fields.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2358postbioticprobioticinactivationapplicationbioactivities
spellingShingle Ying Zhu
Meiling Xiao
Tangying Kang
Yufeng He
Jiayan Zhang
Yansheng Zhao
Xiang Xiao
The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
Foods
postbiotic
probiotic
inactivation
application
bioactivities
title The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
title_full The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
title_fullStr The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
title_short The Role of Inactivation Methods in Shaping Postbiotic Composition and Modulating Bioactivity: A Review
title_sort role of inactivation methods in shaping postbiotic composition and modulating bioactivity a review
topic postbiotic
probiotic
inactivation
application
bioactivities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2358
work_keys_str_mv AT yingzhu theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT meilingxiao theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT tangyingkang theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT yufenghe theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT jiayanzhang theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT yanshengzhao theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT xiangxiao theroleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT yingzhu roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT meilingxiao roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT tangyingkang roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT yufenghe roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT jiayanzhang roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT yanshengzhao roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview
AT xiangxiao roleofinactivationmethodsinshapingpostbioticcompositionandmodulatingbioactivityareview