State-of-the-Art Perspectives on Postbiotic-Oriented Systems Derived from Fermented Medicinal Plant Extracts

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Fermentation is a controlled bioprocessing technique for modifying medicinal plant extracts.
• In vitro fermentation generates stable, cell-independent bioactivity, aligning with postbiotic concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review Scopus-indexed studies on fermented medicinal plant extracts.
• To focus on microbial platforms, fermentation strategies, biotransformation pathways, and functional outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Scopus-indexed studies.
• Analysis of microbial platforms (Lactic Acid Bacteria, yeasts, fungi).
• Examination of biotransformation pathways affecting phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides.

Main Results:

• Fermentation involves platform-specific enzymatic pathways that modify phytochemicals.
• Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are commonly used, with yeasts and fungi offering complementary modifications.
• Fermentation yields bioactive profiles independent of microbial viability, supporting postbiotic applications.

Conclusions:

• Fermented medicinal plant extracts offer postbiotic potential across food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and animal nutrition sectors.
• Challenges include incomplete mechanistic understanding, lack of standardization, and regulatory ambiguity.
• Further research is needed for clinical translation and clearer regulatory frameworks.