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Foods
Special Issues
Probiotic Food: Health Effects and Future Prospects
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Probiotic Food: Health Effects and Future Prospects

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2026) | Viewed by 821

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhenyuan Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Interests: carbohydrates; polysaccharide; structures; functions; host–pathogen interactions; disease processes; gut microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Longgang Jia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Interests: fermented foods; probiotic resources; functional foods; gut microbiota; enzyme engineering
Dr. Weitao Geng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
Interests: biofuels; biomass conversion; lactic acid bacteria; gut microbiota; probiotics; gut–brain axis; gene editing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Probiotics, as live microorganisms conferring health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts, have gained immense attention in recent years for their role in promoting gut health, modulating immunity, and preventing chronic diseases. Probiotic foods, such as yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, and fortified products, serve as effective vehicles for delivering these beneficial microbes. Emerging research highlights their potential in managing metabolic disorders, mental health (via the gut–brain axis), and even antimicrobial resistance. However, challenges remain, including strain-specific efficacy, stability during processing, and personalized nutrition approaches. This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in probiotic food science, covering their health effects, mechanisms of action, and innovative applications. We welcome original research and reviews addressing novel probiotic strains, functional food development, clinical evidence, and future trends like synbiotics and postbiotics. By bridging gaps between science and industry, this Special Issue will contribute to shaping the future of probiotic-based dietary strategies for improved global health.

Prof. Dr. Zhenyuan Zhu
Dr. Longgang Jia
Dr. Weitao Geng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • probiotic
  • probiotic foods
  • gut microbiota
  • immune system
  • delivery systems
  • health benefits

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 2036 KB  
Article
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 Ameliorates Liver Injury and Inflammation in Poly(I:C)-Induced Acute Hepatitis
by María José Lorenzo Pisarello, Ayelen Antonella Baillo, Mariano Elean, Leonardo Albarracín, Luciano Arellano-Arriagada, Yoshihito Suda, Haruki Kitazawa and Julio Villena
Foods 2026, 15(6), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15061034 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 enhances antiviral immunity at mucosal sites, but its capacity to modulate liver immune responses remains unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated whether this immunomodulatory bacterium protects against Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-mediated acute hepatitis induced by poly(I:C), and whether this effect depends [...] Read more.
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 enhances antiviral immunity at mucosal sites, but its capacity to modulate liver immune responses remains unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated whether this immunomodulatory bacterium protects against Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-mediated acute hepatitis induced by poly(I:C), and whether this effect depends on mucosal adhesion. BALB/c mice received the wild-type CRL1505 strain or the Δmbf CRL1505 mutant lacking the mucus-binding factor gene prior to poly(I:C) challenge. Liver injury, serum transaminases, and hepatic expression of interferons (IFNs), antiviral factors, inflammatory mediators, and regulatory cytokines were evaluated 48 h later. Poly(I:C) challenge induced acute hepatitis characterized by increased ALT/AST levels, leukocyte infiltration, and elevated hepatic IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines. The CRL1505 strain administration significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 while enhancing IFNs, antiviral factors, and the regulatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-27, resulting in improved transaminase levels and attenuated liver damage. Notably, the Δmbf CRL1505 mutant conferred protection comparable to the wild-type strain. These findings demonstrate that L. rhamnosus CRL1505 exerts immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects during TLR3-driven hepatitis and that mbf-mediated adhesion is not required for this protection. Overall, CRL1505 emerges as a promising preventive strategy to enhance antiviral defenses and limit inflammation-associated liver injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotic Food: Health Effects and Future Prospects)
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