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Understanding Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics: A Comprehensive Review of the Newest Definitions, Selected Strains and Products Cover

Understanding Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics: A Comprehensive Review of the Newest Definitions, Selected Strains and Products

Advancements of Microbiology
Volume 64 (2025): Issue 3 (September 2025)
By:
Open Access
|Sep 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1.

Classification of microorganisms constituting probiotics with representative examples. Created in BioRender.
Classification of microorganisms constituting probiotics with representative examples. Created in BioRender.

Figure 2.

Comparative characteristics of complementary and synergistic synbiotics. Created in BioRender.
Comparative characteristics of complementary and synergistic synbiotics. Created in BioRender.

Figure 3.

Postbiotic components vs. independent metabolites (Salminen et al. 2021; Vinderola et al. 2024). Created in BioRender.
Postbiotic components vs. independent metabolites (Salminen et al. 2021; Vinderola et al. 2024). Created in BioRender.

Figure 4.

Basic mode of action of biotics. Created in BioRender.
Basic mode of action of biotics. Created in BioRender.

Figure 5.

Selected molecular mechanisms by which two probiotic strains, A - Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and B –Akkermansia muciniphila MucT, interact with host intestinal epithelium. Panel A illustrates L. rhamnosus GG indirect interactions mediated by p40 and p75, which interact with EGFR, as well as direct interactions induced by SpaCBA. Panel B illustrates A. muciniphila MucT direct and indirect interactions, the former shown as Amuc_1100 and LOS interactions with TLR2 and TLR4, the latter as sialidases and fucosidases degrading mucin. Legend: Amuc_1100 – A. muciniphila MucT pilus protein; LOS – lipooligosaccharide; TLR2 – Toll-like receptor 2; TLR4 – Toll-like receptor 4; p40/p75 – L. rhamnosus GG secreted proteins; EGFR - epidermal growth factor receptor; SpaCBA - L. rhamnosus GG pilus protein.
Selected molecular mechanisms by which two probiotic strains, A - Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and B –Akkermansia muciniphila MucT, interact with host intestinal epithelium. Panel A illustrates L. rhamnosus GG indirect interactions mediated by p40 and p75, which interact with EGFR, as well as direct interactions induced by SpaCBA. Panel B illustrates A. muciniphila MucT direct and indirect interactions, the former shown as Amuc_1100 and LOS interactions with TLR2 and TLR4, the latter as sialidases and fucosidases degrading mucin. Legend: Amuc_1100 – A. muciniphila MucT pilus protein; LOS – lipooligosaccharide; TLR2 – Toll-like receptor 2; TLR4 – Toll-like receptor 4; p40/p75 – L. rhamnosus GG secreted proteins; EGFR - epidermal growth factor receptor; SpaCBA - L. rhamnosus GG pilus protein.

Orally administered probiotics and postbiotics, commercially available in Poland and registered as drugs_

NameClassificationContent per one capsule or sachetRecommended use
Lakcid Forte - POLPHARMA S.A.Probiotic10x109 CFU:
  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Pen (40%)

  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus E/N (40%)

  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Oxy (20%)

Treatment of antibiotic-associated colitis, including pseudomembranous colitis; supportive treatment during and after antibiotic therapy; prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea
Lakcid Entero - POLPHARMA S.A.Probiotic250 mg (≥1010 CFU/1 g)
  • -

    Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii

Treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea, diarrhoea in IBS, AAD, recurrent Clostridium difficile diarrhoea; prevention of diarrhoea associated with enteral nutrition, traveller’s diarrhoea, as an adjunct in treatment of H. pylori
Lacidofil - LALLE-MAND S.A.S.Probiotic2x109 CFU*:
  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus R0011

  • -

    Lactobacillus helveticus R0052

Treatment of recurrent pseudomembranous colitis, supportive treatment during and after antibiotic therapy; prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea
Enetrol – BIOCODEXProbiotic250 mg:
  • -

    Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745

Treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea, recurrent Clostridium difficile diarrhoea; prevention of diarrhoea associated with enteral nutrition, traveller’s diarrhoea; as an adjunct in treatment in IBS diarrhoea
Lacteol Fort 340 mg - DSM-Firmenich Houdan SASPostbiotic340 mg including:
  • -

    Inactivated Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii – 10x109 CFU

  • -

    Fermented medium – 160 mg

Supportive treatment of diarrhoea
Trilac - Krotex PharmProbiotic1,6x109 CFU:
  • -

    Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 (37,5%)

  • -

    Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Lb-Y27 (25%)

  • -

    Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12 (37,5%)

Treatment of antibiotic-associated colitis, including pseudomembranous colitis; prevention of traveller’s diarrhoea; supportive treatment after antibiotic therapy

Non-orally administered probiotics registered as drugs in Poland_

NameClassificationContent per one capsuleRecommended use
Lakcid Intima – POLPHARMA S.A.Probiotic
  • -

    Lactobacillus gasseri DSM 14869 ≥108 CFU

  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus DSM 14870 ≥108 CFU

Preventive use to maintain or restore normal vaginal microbiota
Lactovaginal – BIOMED S.A.Probiotic
  • -

    Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 573 ≥108 CFU

Preventive use; treatment of vaginal discharge and inflammation of reproductive organs after the antibacterial, antitrichomonal, or antifungal treatment
inVag – BIOMED S.A.Probiotic≥109 CFU:
  • -

    Limosilactobacillus fermentum 57A (25%)

  • -

    Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 57B (25%)

  • -

    Lactobacillus gasseri 57C (50%)

Prevention of genitourinary infections; supportive treatment in vaginitis, during and after antibiotic and/or antifungal treatment
Protrivagin – Verco S.A.Probiotic
  • -

    Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P 17630 108CFU

Normalization of the disrupted vaginal microbiota after antibiotic therapy for bacterial vaginosis; maintaining normal vaginal microbiota in recurrent infections

Current classification and nomenclature of biotics according to ISAPP_

NameISAPP definitionExamplesExamples of commercial productsReference
ProbioticLive microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.Lactobacillus acidophilus DSM 20079, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis UCD272, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745Vivomixx®Lacidofil®Enterol®Hill et al., 2014
PrebioticA substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.galactooligosaccharides (GOS), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), InulinOrafti®InulinNutraFlora®FOSBLF®100Gibson et al., 2017
SynbioticA mixture comprising live microorganisms and sub-strate(s) selectively utilized by host microorganisms that confers a health benefit on the host.Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 202195 and fructooligosaccharides (FOS)Ther-Biotic®SynbioticAcidolac®BabyMultilac®Swanson et al., 2020; Kleerebezem and Führen, 2024
PostbioticPreparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucTheat-killed Lacticaseibacillus para-casei MCC1849SANPROBI®PremiumEpiCor®BPL1™ PostbioticSalminen et al., 2021; Kato et al., 2024

Examples of health benefits demonstrated by probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics in clinical trials_

CompositionClassificationHealth benefitsDaily dose and durationReference
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PS128ProbioticAmelioration of symptoms in children with ASD, such as:
  • -

    disruptive and rule breaking behaviours

  • -

    hyperactivity/impulsivity

3x1010 CFU for 28 daysLiu et al., 2019
Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4Bifidobacterium longum BORIProbiotic
  • -

    stress alleviation

  • -

    mental flexibility

  • -

    beneficial changes in microbiota

1x109 CFU1x109 CFU for 12 weeksKim et al., 2020
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ŁOCK 0900Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ŁOCK 0908Lacticaseibacillus casei ŁOCK 0918ProbioticSignificant improvement in atopic dermatitis symptom severity1x109 CFU for 3 monthsCukrowska et al., 2021
Bifidobacterium bifidum W23 Bifidobacterium lactis W51 Lactobacillus acidophilus W37Lactobacillus acidophilus W55Lacticaseibacillus paracasei W20Lactiplantibacillus plantarum W62Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus W71Ligilactobacillus salivarius W24ProbioticReduced risk of diarrhoea during and 7 days after antibiotic treatment1x1010 CFU during antibiotic treatment + 7 daysŁukasik et al., 2022
Bacillus subtilis BS50ProbioticAlleviation of gas-related gastrointestinal symptoms2x109 CFU for 6 weeksGarvey et al., 2022
Bacillus subtilis MB40ProbioticElimination of Staphylococcus aureus without altering the microbiota1x1010 CFU for 30 daysPiewngam et al., 2023
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CECT 30031, Arthrospira platensis BEA_ IDA_0074BProbioticSignificant reduction in the severity of acne vulgaris1x109 CFU for 12 weeksEguren et al., 2024
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917ProbioticPotential use of engineered E. coli Nissle 1917 in adenoma diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer1x109 CFU for 14 daysGurbatri et al., 2024
Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745ProbioticIn patients with SIBO, associated with dietary advice:
  • -

    Improved digestive symptoms

  • -

    restoration of the intestinal microbiota

500 mg for 15 daysBustos Fernández, Man and Lasa, 2023
Streptococcus thermophilus BT01ProbioticReduction of urease activity in faecal samples1x1011 aFU for 1 weekMartinović et al., 2023
Lactobacillus crispatus DSM32717 DSM32720, DSM32718, DSM32716ProbioticReduction of the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis
  • -

    significant increase in the lactobacilli counts in the vagina

  • -

    lowered combined score of the amount of discharge and itching/irritation in vulvovaginal candidiasis

3x1010 CFU for 3 monthsMändar et al., 2023
Lactobacillus acidophilusLactiplantibacillus plantarumBifidobacterium lactisSaccharomyces boulardii (LactoLevureR)Probiotic
  • -

    positive effects on glycaemic and lipid parameters

  • -

    improvements in measures of adiposity in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

1,75x109 CFU0,5x109 CFU1,75x109 CFU1,5x109 CFU for 6 monthsZikou et al., 2023
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GGProbioticBeneficial modulation of gut and skin microbiome1x1010 CFU for 12 weeksCarucci et al., 2022
Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347ProbioticReducing IBS symptom severity1x109 for 84 daysSrivastava et al., 2024
Opuntia ficus-indica extract (Odilia™)PrebioticPositive modulation of gut microbiota composition:
  • -

    significant reduction in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio

  • -

    significant increase in relative abundances of beneficial bacteria

  • -

    significant reduction in pro-inflammatory bacteria

300 mg for 8 weeksMellai et al., 2024
Inulin and oligofructosePrebiotic
  • -

    significant improvement in frailty and renal function

  • -

    increases in protein levels, body fat percentage, walking speed, grip strength

  • -

    elevation in gut probiotic count

  • -

    induced alterations in microbial metabolite expression levels among the older population

15 g for 3 monthsYang et al., 2024
Yeast mannanPrebiotic
  • -

    An increase in the frequency and volume of bowel movements

  • -

    accelerated transition to deep sleep stage and lengthened duration

1,1 g for 4 weeksTanihiro et al., 2024
Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum and galactooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, resistant dextrin (SIM01)SynbioticAlleviation of multiple symptoms of PACS2x1010 CFU for 6 months*Lau et al., 2024
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 and fructooligosaccharideSynbioticDecrease in pro-inflammatory biomarkers (CRP and IFN-γ) and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10 and sIgA)1,5x108 CFU7,5x107CFU and 500 mg for 8 weeksLi et al., 2023
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus FloraActive™ 19070-2, Lactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ 32418, Bifidobacterium lactis DSMZ 32269, Bifidobacterium longum DSMZ 32946, Bifidobacterium bifidum DSMZ 32403 and fructooligosaccharidesSynbioticSignificant amelioration in:
  • -

    feeling of incomplete bowel movements

  • -

    flatulence

  • -

    pain

  • -

    stool pressure and diarrheal stools

1,96x109 CFU9,80x108 CFU5,88x109 CFU5,88x108 CFU5,88x108 CFU and 1,894 g for 8 weeksSkrzydło-Radomańska et al., 2020
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-115, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CBG-C10 and fructooligosaccharide (LactominPlus®)Synbiotic
  • -

    improvement in the degree of formed stool

  • -

    decrease in faecal calprotectin level

  • -

    increase in Lactobacillales

2,9x107 CFU4,7x107 CFU2,4x107 CFU and 1,2 g for 8 weeksJung et al., 2022
Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75PostbioticAlleviating IBS and its symptoms1x109 cells for 8 weeksAndresen, Gschossmann and Layer, 2020
Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM17648 (Pylopass)PostbioticImproved effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia2x1010 cells for 28 daysIvashkin et al., 2024
Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347Postbiotic
  • -

    decreased total and non-HDL cholesterol

  • -

    significant increase in the abundance of the genera Faecalibacterium and Anaerobutyricum

  • -

    reduced IBS symptom severity

2,5x109 cells for 8 or 12 weeksNaghibi et al., 2024; Srivastava et al., 2024
Akkermansia muciniphila HB05PostbioticSignificant increase in muscle strength among individuals aged 60 years or older1x1010 cells for 12 weeksKang et al., 2024
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MCC1849Postbiotic
  • -

    increasing plasmacytoid dendritic cells activity

  • -

    beneficial effects on immune cells in healthy adults

5x1010 cells for 4 weeksKato et al., 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/am-2025-0013 | Journal eISSN: 2545-3149 | Journal ISSN: 0079-4252
Journal RSS Feed
Language: English, Polish
Page range: 160 - 181
Submitted on: Apr 29, 2025
Accepted on: Sep 25, 2025
Published on: Sep 30, 2025
Published by: Polish Society of Microbiologists
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 times per year
Keywords:
probiotics,
prebiotics,
synbiotics,
postbiotics,
next-generation probiotics,
live biotherapeutic products
Related subjects:
Life sciences,
Microbiology and virology

© 2025 Antoni Woźniak, Agata Dorotkiewicz-Jach, Monika Brzychczy-Włoch, published by Polish Society of Microbiologists
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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