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Microorganisms
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Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and...
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Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 5476

Special Issue Editor

Dr. María Esther Ortega-Cerrilla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Programa de Recursos Genéticos y Productividad-Ganadería, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Estado de México, Mexico
Interests: animal nutrition; animal welfare

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growth of human populations will lead to a significant increase in food production from both plant and animal sources. It is imperative to utilize growth promoters that enhance feed efficiency and reduce the costs required to meet this need. Although antibiotics have been commonly used for this purpose, their associated health risks, particularly the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, make finding effective alternatives crucial. Consequently, there has been a substantial shift towards using probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in appropriate quantities, provide significant health benefits to the host. Prebiotics extend beyond carbohydrates to include various substances, such as polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, influencing areas beyond the digestive tract. Synbiotics effectively combine probiotics and prebiotics to have a positive synergistic impact.

The increasing number of studies conducted in this field confirm the growing consensus regarding the benefits of microorganism-based technology. However, critical questions remain regarding scientific principles, technological advancements, practical applications, and consumer safety.

This Special Issue requests original review/Research papers exploring multiple dimensions of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in ruminant and non-ruminant animals, including fish.

Dr. María Esther Ortega-Cerrilla
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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
  • prebiotics
  • synbiotics
  • animals
  • food safety

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 3814 KiB  
Article
Complex Probiotics Relieve Constipation Through Regulation of the Intestinal Microbiota in Kittens
by Shimin Zhu, Zhengrong Guo, Lin Liu, Yuan Gao, Lu Bai, Yongfu Chen and Musu Zha
Microorganisms 2025, 13(3), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030563 - 1 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 694
Abstract
The early developmental phase is a critical window for feline growth, during which immature digestive systems are susceptible to microbiome imbalances caused by environmental stressors. Our research employed macrogenomic analysis to evaluate how complex probiotic formulations influence growth metrics and gastrointestinal flora in [...] Read more.
The early developmental phase is a critical window for feline growth, during which immature digestive systems are susceptible to microbiome imbalances caused by environmental stressors. Our research employed macrogenomic analysis to evaluate how complex probiotic formulations influence growth metrics and gastrointestinal flora in juvenile felines. Two dozen healthy kittens were equally divided into the control group and the probiotics group following a 5-day environmental adaptation phase. Fecal scores were recorded daily for all kittens. Fresh fecal samples were collected on days 1 and 14 for macrogenomic analysis. The results showed a significantly lower rate of constipation in the probiotics group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in intestinal microbial diversity or structure between the two groups. Metagenomic analysis revealed a higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium animalis in the probiotics group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the probiotics group exhibited lower relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae bacterium 2 1 58FAA, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 1 1 57FAA, and Acidaminococcus intestini compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that complex probiotics can regulate the intestinal microbiota, improve constipation, and promote intestinal health in kittens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety)
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17 pages, 1563 KiB  
Article
A Promising Approach for the Food Industry: Enhancing Probiotic Viability Through Microencapsulated Synbiotics
by Iuliu Gabriel Malos, Diana Pasarin, Andra-Ionela Ghizdareanu and Bogdan Frunzareanu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020336 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 879
Abstract
The role of prebiotics and probiotics in promoting gut health is increasingly recognized in food development and nutrition research. This study explored the enhancement of probiotic viability in the food industry through microencapsulated synbiotics, focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 11974 with fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) [...] Read more.
The role of prebiotics and probiotics in promoting gut health is increasingly recognized in food development and nutrition research. This study explored the enhancement of probiotic viability in the food industry through microencapsulated synbiotics, focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 11974 with fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and inulin as prebiotics. The effect of encapsulation in a chitosan-coated alginate matrix on probiotic survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions showed a significant effect of 2% FOS concentration on the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 11974. The optimization of microencapsulation parameters by the Taguchi method revealed a 2% sodium alginate concentration, a nozzle size of 200 µm, and a concentration of 0.4% chitosan solution as ideal, producing microcapsules with an estimated average diameter of 212 µm. Viability assessments in simulated gastric juice and simulated intestinal juice showed that chitosan-coated alginate microcapsules notably enhanced probiotic survival, achieving log 8 CFU mL−1 viability in both environments, a marked improvement over the uncoated variant. The study emphasizes the importance of microencapsulation, particularly by sodium alginate and chitosan, as a viable strategy to improve the survival and delivery of probiotics through the digestive system. By improving the stability and survivability of probiotics, microencapsulation promises to expand the use of synbiotics in various foods, contributing to the development of functional foods with health-promoting properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety)
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Review

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21 pages, 1637 KiB  
Review
Probiotics in Poultry: Unlocking Productivity Through Microbiome Modulation and Gut Health
by Muhammad Naeem and Dianna Bourassa
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020257 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2851
Abstract
This review explores the role of probiotics in improving productivity and gut health in poultry through microbiome modulation, particularly during early life. Gut health is pivotal to poultry performance, influencing nutrient absorption, immune function, and disease resistance. Early-life interventions target the microbiome to [...] Read more.
This review explores the role of probiotics in improving productivity and gut health in poultry through microbiome modulation, particularly during early life. Gut health is pivotal to poultry performance, influencing nutrient absorption, immune function, and disease resistance. Early-life interventions target the microbiome to shape long-term health and productivity. Probiotics, live microorganisms providing health benefits, improve gut health through the competitive exclusion of pathogens, immune modulation, antimicrobial compound production, and enhancing gut barrier integrity. Applying probiotics improves growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, body weight gain, and carcass quality by promoting lean muscle growth and reducing fat deposition. For laying hens, probiotics enhance egg production and quality. These benefits are linked to better nutrient utilization, a well-balanced microbiome, and reduced gastrointestinal disorders. However, the efficacy of probiotics depends on strain specificity, dosage, and administration methods. Factors like environmental conditions, storage stability, and interactions with other feed additives also influence their effectiveness. Despite these challenges, advancements in microbiome research and probiotic technologies, such as precision probiotics and synbiotics, provide promising solutions. Future research should focus on optimizing formulations, understanding host–microbiome interactions, and leveraging new technologies for targeted microbiome management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety)
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13 pages, 276 KiB  
Review
Optimizing Poultry Nutrition to Combat Salmonella: Insights from the Literature
by Muhammad Naeem and Dianna Bourassa
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122612 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 914
Abstract
Salmonella infections in poultry production are a significant and pervasive concern, posing substantial risks to both animal and human health. This comprehensive literature review examines the current body of research on the use of various nutritional manipulations as a promising strategy to effectively [...] Read more.
Salmonella infections in poultry production are a significant and pervasive concern, posing substantial risks to both animal and human health. This comprehensive literature review examines the current body of research on the use of various nutritional manipulations as a promising strategy to effectively control and mitigate the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry. The review covers a range of dietary interventions, particularly the utilization of probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and phytochemicals, and thoroughly evaluates their efficacy in reducing Salmonella colonization within poultry flocks. Furthermore, the review delves into the potential underlying mechanisms of action for these nutritional approaches to control Salmonella and the far-reaching implications for overall food safety. By providing a thorough analysis of the existing literature, this review aims to elucidate the most promising nutritional strategies that can be employed to control Salmonella in poultry production, ultimately safeguarding animal welfare and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety)
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