Sources, Processing-Related Transformation, and Gut AxisRegulation of Conventional and Potential Prebiotics

One strategy to achieve a balanced intestinal microbiota is to introduce prebiotics. Some substances present in thediet, such as soybean extracts, koji glycosylceramides, grape extracts, tea polyphenols, and seaweed extracts, can be considered aspotential prebiotics, because they can selectively stimulate the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. However, thediscovery of novel prebiotics also involves advances in screening methods and the use of thermal and non-thermal processingtechniques to modify and enhance the properties of beneficial organisms. The health benefits of prebiotics are also reflected by theirparticipation in regulating the microbiota in different gut axes. In the present review, we introduced thefield of prebiotics, focusingon potential prebiotic substances, the process of screening potential prebiotics, the transformation of prebiotics by food-processingtechnologies, and the roles of prebiotics on gut axis regulation, which, it is hoped, will promote the discovery and utilization of novelprebiotics.

Automated summary

Introducing prebiotics is a strategy to achieve a balanced intestinal microbiota. Some substances present in the diet can be considered as potential prebiotics as they selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. The discovery of new prebiotics requires advances in screening methods and modification techniques. Prebiotics provide health benefits by regulating the microbiota in different gut axes.