Marine Probiotics and Postbiotics

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, new-generation DNA sequencing technologies have led to the advent of the hologenome theory. This theory considers the host and its associated microbiota as a super-organism. It therefore puts the microbial world back at the center of the game. In addition, the microbiome brings together the microbiota and its theater of activity (metabolites/signalling molecules and the surrounding environmental conditions) [1]. The hologenome theory validates the concept of probiotics and postbiotics. The former were defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” [2]. In 2021, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defined a postbiotic as "a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host".

Given the world's changing demographics, animal husbandry practices are intensifying, making them more vulnerable to infectious outbreaks. Antibiotics are no longer an option to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Strategies to limit the impact of infectious outbreaks in livestock include vaccination, genetic selection, and the use of zootechnical additives, a category that probiotics and postbiotics belong to. Considering the One Health concept and the hologenome theory, it appears that these marine probiotics and postbiotics should be adapted to each host organism and are therefore intended for algae or animal farming.

Many Special Issues have been and still are being devoted to probiotics and postbiotics. This issue, entitled "Marine probiotics and postbiotics” is devoted to marine probiotics and postbiotics with applications in accordance with the One Health concept and is published jointly by the journals Marine Drugs and Microorganisms (MDPI). We aim for this Special Issue to aggregate innovative data regarding marine probiotics and postbiotics, whatever their origin (archeabacteria, eubacteria, fungi), their mechanisms of action, the chemical nature (PKS, NRPS, peptide, alkaloids) of the bioactive compounds, and how they are produced. Original research as well as review articles are welcome. Scientists are invited to contribute, combining (meta)data mining, microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cellular biology, physiology and veterinary expertise.

1. Berg, G., Rybakova, D., Fischer, D. et al. Microbiome definition re-visited: old concepts and new challenges. Microbiome 8, 103 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-020-00875-0
2. Hill, C., Guarner, F., Reid, G. et al. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 506–514 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Microorganisms.

Dr. Yannick Fleury
Dr. Clément Offret
Guest Editors

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• marine microorganisms
• probiotic
• postbiotic