Probiotics and Postbiotics Derived from Saline/Marine Plant-Based Feedstocks

The growing demand for the sustainable and cost-effective production of probiotics and postbiotics has highlighted the potential of saline and marine plants as novel substrates. These plants, including seaweeds and halophytes, are abundant and nutrient-rich and require minimal resources, making them ideal candidates for green biorefineries. The incorporation of saline plant-based feedstocks could lower media costs and environmental impact, as these plants do not require arable land or freshwater while contributing to carbon sequestration and sustainable farming. The development of integrated biorefineries could drive economic feasibility by facilitating cost-effective probiotic and postbiotic production. However, challenges such as high salt content and lignocellulosic composition may complicate microbial fermentation. This review examines recent advancements in leveraging naturally salt-tolerant probiotics and efficient bioconversion methods to address these challenges. It explores the nutritional profiles of saline plants, their prebiotic potential, and their synergetic compatibility with diverse probiotic strains, including probiotic bacteria and fungi and their metabolites. Additionally, the review discusses state-of-the-art fermentation techniques tailored to saline plant-based substrates and the possible advantages of saline feedstocks for probiotics and postbiotics production through biorefinery pathways. The work highlights the transformative potential of saline and marine plant-derived probiotics and postbiotics in health supplementation and biotechnological innovation, contributing to biorefinery development within a circular economy framework.