Page 51 - FoodFocusThailand No.246 October 2026

STRATEGIC R & D

• Postbiotics are “non-viable microbes or their
components that confer a health benefit”. Postbiotics
effectively strengthen intestinal barrier function,
reduce inflammation, and modulate gut microbiota
composition. Their high thermal and processing
stability offers clear manufacturing and shelf-life
advantages over live probiotics (Salminen et al., 2021;
Vinderola et al., 2022). They can be incorporated into
diverse food matrices, including powdered dairy, snack
foods, and ready-to-drink beverages, providing greater
stability and shelf life compared to live probiotics
(Zhong et al., 2024).
• Synbiotics: Formulated by combining live
probiotics with prebiotics substrates, synbiotics
synergistically enhance the growth and activity
of beneficial gut microbes. This synergy drives
the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs),
which play essential roles in reducing inflammation,
bolstering immune response, and maintaining gut
microbial balance (Yadav et al., 2024).
• Psychobiotics: A specialized class of probiotics
that positively influence mental health and cognitive
function via the gut-brain axis. Research demonstrates
that specific strains facilitate the synthesis of
neuroactive molecules, such as serotonin and
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while modulating
inflammatory responses and HPA-axis activity.
Psychobiotics have potential for preventing and
alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and
cognitive decline (Binda et al., 2024; Cruz Mosquera
et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2023). Commercial examples
include Probio’Tic Stress (containing Lacticaseibacillus
®
rhamnosus Rosell -11 and Lactobacillus helveticus
®
Rosell -52) and Zenflore (featuring Bifidobacterium
®
®
longum 1714). Clinical studies have shown benefits
in lowering stress markers, improving sleep quality,
and enhancing human cognitive performance (Cruz
Mosquera et al., 2024).
Moreover, emerging technologies such as
precision fermentation and precision nutrition are
transforming functional food design. By leveraging
gut microbiome profiling, genomics, and artificial
intelligence, researchers can predict how individuals will
metabolically respond to specific foods. This capacity
enables the development of personalized nutritional
products tailored to unique micro-ecosystems
(Abeltino et al., 2024). Ultimately, functional foods
are shifting from basic energy sources to targeted
interventions for systemic health. “Gut Matters”
represents both a transformative wellness paradigm
and a high-value opportunity for the food industry to
engineer solutions that nourish both body and mind.

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