Prebiotics and Probiotics: Enriching the Gut Microbiota and Applications in Addressing Gastrointestinal Diseases

Probiotics are beneficial microbes that when present in appropriate quantity, deliver certain health benefits to the host organism. Prebiotics are indigestible carbohydrate compounds that nourish the probiotics by acting as a substrate for probiotic fermentation. Probiotics work hand in hand with prebiotics. Tandem use of probiotics and prebiotics, collectively known as synbiotics, has emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic interventions in addressing various gastrointestinal disorders. Advancements in technology and the increasing fascination surrounding the intricate ecosystem of the gut microbiota have ignited a rapid acceleration of research within the field of gut microbiology, yielding insights into the molecular functioning of probiotics. This comprehensive chapter summarizes the cellular and molecular mechanism through which probiotics and prebiotics influence gut microbiome involving immune-regulation, gut barrier fortification, organic acid production, attenuation of oxidative stress etc. Moreover, this chapter also sheds light on the utilization of probiotics and prebiotics in the context of gastrointestinal disorders, assessed through clinical trials, in vivo experiments carried out in animal models, and controlled in vitro settings. This has also emphasized on scientific exploration for potential novel probiotics and prebiotics from time tested traditional foods across the globe for management of better gut health.