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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Probiotics: Development and Application
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Probiotics: Development and Application

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1978

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Siu Mei Choi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food and Health Sciences, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), Hong Kong
Interests: probiotics; prebiotics; gut health; postbiotics; synbiotics for microbiome modulation; gut microbiota and metabolic health; functional foods; fermentation and bioactive compounds; disease prevention; food safety; process-induced toxicants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue entitled “Probiotics: Development and Application” aims to focus on the latest advances in probiotics research, encompassing their development and practical applications. Probiotics have emerged as a cornerstone of functional foods and therapeutic interventions, offering promising benefits for gut health, immunity and overall well-being. Recent advances in microbiome science and molecular biology have expanded our understanding of how probiotics interact with host systems, paving the way for precision applications in health management. This Special Issue provides a platform for cutting-edge research addressing key challenges and opportunities in the field. By integrating insights from basic science and applied research, the issue aims to foster collaboration among academia, healthcare and industry to accelerate the translation of probiotic innovations into safe, effective and sustainable solutions. We invite original research articles, reviews and short communications that advance knowledge and practical applications of probiotics in diverse contexts, including personalized nutrition and food safety risk management.

Dr. Siu Mei Choi
Guest Editor

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. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2700 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

  • probiotics
  • nutrition
  • gut microbiota
  • food safety

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1226 KB  
Article
Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A458 on Lactose Intolerance in Mice: Associations with Gut Microbiota and Redox Balance
by Rentao Zhang, Narandalai Danshiitsoodol, Masafumi Noda and Masanori Sugiyama
Microorganisms 2026, 14(6), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14061273 - 5 Jun 2026
Viewed by 214
Abstract
Lactose intolerance (LI) is a common gastrointestinal disorder caused by reduced intestinal lactase activity, resulting in lactose maldigestion and digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Supplementation with β-galactosidase-producing probiotics is a potential strategy to improve lactose metabolism and reduce symptoms. In [...] Read more.
Lactose intolerance (LI) is a common gastrointestinal disorder caused by reduced intestinal lactase activity, resulting in lactose maldigestion and digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Supplementation with β-galactosidase-producing probiotics is a potential strategy to improve lactose metabolism and reduce symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the probiotic properties and LI-alleviating efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum A458 through integrated in vitro and in vivo analyses. The strain displayed robust survival under simulated gastric and bile environments, maintaining high viability at acidic pH (2.0) and in 0.3–0.5% bile salts. It also demonstrated active fermentation capacity, producing high levels of lactic acid, and showed strong adhesion to Caco-2 cells while effectively inhibiting the invasion of Listeria monocytogenes. In a mouse model of LI, oral administration of L. plantarum A458 reduced systemic inflammation, as evidenced by decreased serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ. Additionally, L. plantarum A458 improved hepatic antioxidant defenses by elevating SOD activity and reducing lipid peroxidation and redox imbalance, as indicated by decreased MDA levels and increased GSH/GSSG ratio. Notably, L. plantarum A458 increased jejunal lactase activity. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing suggested that L. plantarum A458 modulated the gut microbial community, with higher relative abundance of beneficial taxa and lower relative abundance of potentially pathogenic microbes. Collectively, these findings suggest that L. plantarum A458 shows potential as a probiotic candidate for managing LI, associated with increased lactase activity, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, and modulated gut microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: Development and Application)
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Review

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46 pages, 2290 KB  
Review
Enterococcus Species: Multifaceted Probiotic Potential and Safety Considerations
by Ojonugwa Precious John, Kayode Olayinka Afolabi, Anayochukwu Chibuike Ngene, Williams Omotola Tanimowo, Mary Ayobami Adewoyin, Michael Bamitale Osho and Rine Christopher Reuben
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040815 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Enterococcus spp. are common but not predominant commensal bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and are widely distributed in various environmental matrices and diverse food sources. Multiple strains of beneficial enterococci are increasingly utilized as protective cultures, alternatives to [...] Read more.
Enterococcus spp. are common but not predominant commensal bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and are widely distributed in various environmental matrices and diverse food sources. Multiple strains of beneficial enterococci are increasingly utilized as protective cultures, alternatives to antibiotics, and probiotics for controlling pathogens, mitigating disease, modulating the microbiome, and supporting overall host health. They also support food fermentation and safety, enhance sensory properties, and produce bioactive compounds such as bacteriocins with strong pathogen-inhibitory activity and multifarious health benefits. Despite their advantages in health and agrifood systems, their association with healthcare-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance raises concerns about their safety. These risks underscore the need for stringent safety evaluations before their use as probiotics, alternatives to antibiotics, or protective cultures. Here, we provide a comprehensive atlas of the multifaceted probiotic and antimicrobial potential, as well as safety considerations of beneficial enterococci. This would provide a valuable resource for future research, regulatory assessments, and applications in the agrifood system and healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics: Development and Application)
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