Scaling Up Postbiotics Production: A Prospective Review of Processes and Health Benefits

Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by probiotic bacteria that have taken the spotlight for their significant health benefits. These postbiotics include digestive enzymes, short-chain fatty acids, cell wall components, bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides, and vitamins. Among many health benefits, postbiotics possess immunomodulatory effect; cholesterol regulation; antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties; enhanced gut health; and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, although the mechanism of action of these health benefits is yet to be fully understood. Forecast indicates a rising industrial demand for postbiotic production. This review summarizes the tools and techniques employed in optimizing postbiotic production that aid in overcoming those challenges that currently interrupt industrial scale-up. Plackett-Burman design, response surface methodology (RSM), Taguchi method, and central composite design (CCD) are significant tools for optimizing postbiotic production conditions. Molecular techniques including genetic engineering, synthetic biology tools such as CRISPR-Cas9, and metabolic engineering are potential techniques to enhance postbiotic production. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in industrial scale-up (stability, quality, yield, and consistency). Understanding the correlation between high cell density and postbiotic yield is crucial for industrial scale-up and optimized production. However, further in-depth research is in demand for industrial production of postbiotics. This review would benefit researchers exploring the mechanism of action and industrial production of postbiotics.