Metabiotics: The Functional Metabolic Signatures of Probiotics: Current State-of-Art and Future Research Priorities—Metabiotics: Probiotics Effector Molecules

Abstract

The intricate “orchestered molecular conversation” between the host and gut microbiome is one of the most dynamic research areas in recent years. The rhythmic chemical cross talk in the form of bioactive metabolites and signalling molecules synthesized by gut microbiome plays a significant role for the modulation of human health in diversified ways. They are recognized as low molecular weight (LMW) molecules having versatile chemical attributes. They possess magnificent capability of interacting with surrounding environment and controlling the genes for various genetic, biochemical and physiological functions for maintaining the homeostasis that is now-a-days termed as “small molecules microbes originated (SMOM) homeostasis” in the host. These metabolic signatures have close structural and functional resemblance with small molecules synthesized by host eukaryotic cells and dietary components. Therefore, they may be considered as universalized metabolites contributing to the remarkable phenomenon of epigenetic regulation, cell to cell communication and stability of genome manifesting the overall growth and development of the host and known as “metabiotics”. The wide panorama of utilization of probiotics is continuously expanding and conferring the major health benefits through metabiotic components are gaining tremendous momentum therefore recognized as “hidden soldiers” of the body. Therefore firstly, we outline the need and types of metabiotic molecules and depicting their role in human health. Then, we summarize their preventive and therapeutic avenues in various diseases and finally, we propose the current technological interventions, bottlenecks and future perspectives in this field that are implied for accelerating their comprehensive understanding and utilization at industrial scale.