Application of Probiotics in Foods and Human Health

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 498

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Department of Science, Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34 000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Interests: microbiology; lactic acid bacteria; functional food; probiotics; health benefits

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Science, Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34 000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Interests: microbiology; coagulase-negative staphylococci; biofilm; functional properties; antimicribial resistance; foodborne pathogens

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” have gained significant attention in food science, nutrition, and medical research. These beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining gut microbiota balance, enhancing immune function, and improving overall health. Their applications extend beyond dietary supplements to various functional foods, including dairy and meat products, fermented beverages, and plant-based alternatives, making probiotics a cornerstone of modern nutrition and personalized healthcare.

The growing understanding of the gut microbiome’s influence on human physiology has underscored the importance of probiotics in preventing and managing a range of health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, and even mental health issues through the gut–brain axis. As scientific research continues to unveil novel probiotic strains and their mechanisms of action, the demand for innovative food formulations and clinical applications is steadily increasing. However, challenges such as probiotic stability, viability, and regulatory considerations must be addressed to fully harness their potential.

This Special Issue, “Application of Probiotics in Foods and Human Health”, aims to provide a comprehensive platform for cutting-edge research on the development, functional properties, and health benefits of probiotics. It seeks to highlight novel probiotic applications in food systems, advancements in delivery technologies, and clinical evidence supporting their therapeutic efficacy. By bringing together interdisciplinary research, this Issue aspires to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical implementation, ultimately contributing to the development of health-promoting probiotic-based foods and therapeutics.

Dr. Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek
Dr. Mirjana Grujović
Dr. Katarina Marković
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Lactic acid bacteria
  • probiotics
  • prebiotics
  • symbiotics
  • postbiotics
  • microencapsulation
  • functional foods
  • fermented foods
  • plant-based and alternative foods
  • gut health
  • immune response
  • health benefits
  • clinical evidence
  • therapeutics
  • metabolic disorders
  • gut–brain axis
  • safety assessment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 5677 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of a Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MSMC39-1 on Kidney Damage in Aged Mice: Functional Foods Potential
by Pol Sookpotarom, Jirapat Namkaew, Kaikwa Wuttisa, Chantanapa Chantarangkul, Praewpannarai Jamjuree, Thiranut Jaroonwitchawan and Malai Taweechotipatr
Foods 2025, 14(11), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14111874 - 25 May 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
Kidney fibrosis and inflammation are significant contributors to the decline in renal function associated with aging. These processes are characterized by structural changes, such as glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis, which exacerbate kidney injury and inflammation in aged individuals. Probiotics have gained increasing [...] Read more.
Kidney fibrosis and inflammation are significant contributors to the decline in renal function associated with aging. These processes are characterized by structural changes, such as glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis, which exacerbate kidney injury and inflammation in aged individuals. Probiotics have gained increasing attention for their potential health-promoting effects. However, further investigation is required to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these benefits. We hypothesize that probiotics could ameliorate fibrosis through the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and by improving kidney tissue inflammation. Sixteen-month-old aging mice were administered Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MSMC39-1 for four months compared to young mice (six-month-old) and aged mice (twenty-month-old). The research found that following the administration of probiotic MSMC39-1, there were significant improvements in kidney inflammation, as evidenced by reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines, fibrosis, and inflammatory cells within the tissue. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that probiotic MSMC39-1 significantly normalized levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and rescued antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) in kidney tissue which was consistent with a low mitochondria biogenesis. Further investigations revealed that conditioned medium from MSMC39-1 rescued epithelial kidney cells with damage induced by high glucose. This research provides information and insights into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial health effects of probiotics, offering a deeper understanding of how these probiotics contribute to anti-aging processes in the kidney. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Probiotics in Foods and Human Health)
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