Recent Advances in Physiology and Metabolism of Lactobacilli: Potential Applications in Sustainable Agri-Food System
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 17
Special Issue Editors
Interests: food microbiology; lactic acid bacteria; stress response; energy metabolism; fermented foods; microbial communities; microbial metabolism; food quality; food nutrition; food safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: lactic acid bacteria; microbial communities; starter cultures; food microbiology; food fermentation; microbial biotechnology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Lactobacilli are a heterogeneous group of microorganisms widely distributed in food matrices, plant-associated environments, and gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Lactobacilli are extensively used as starter, adjunct and probiotic cultures, playing a pivotal role in the production of many fermented foods and several human health applications. The recent advances in physiological and metabolic characterization of lactobacilli, however, have highlighted that many strains can be exploited as bio-factories for the development of sustainable agri-food systems.
The metabolism of lactobacilli, for example, can be exploited for the synthesis of targeted food ingredients (e.g., alternatives to animal proteins, flavouring agents for plant-based products, bioactive compounds, vitamins, exopolysaccharides) that may contribute to a more beneficial and diversified food system. Moreover, some strains may be used to produce industrial relevant metabolites (e.g., biopolymers, precursors of bioplastics, therapeutic molecules), also through the degradation of agri-food wastes, contributing to the reduction in products of chemical synthesis and to the implementation of circular bioeconomy processes.
For this Special Issue, we invite submissions of original research papers, reviews, and communications that may provide updates on physiology, metabolism and biotechnological applications of lactobacilli, highlighting the potential role in food and environmental innovation and sustainability.
Dr. Teresa Zotta
Guest Editor
Dr. Marilisa Giavalisco
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- lactobacilli
- metabolism
- food ingredients
- biopolymers
- sustainability
- agri-food wastes
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