Safety Assessment of Probiotics and Postbiotics: A Critical Review

Köse Ş.

CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, vol.1, no.33, pp.65-70, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 1 Issue: 33
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Journal Name: CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.65-70
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Probiotics and postbiotics are essential components of modern dietary supplememts,

recognized for their beneficial effects on human health. While probiotics positively influence gut

microbiota, digestion, and immune responses, their safety remains a concern, particularly in

immunocompromised individuals, due to risks such as infections, transfer of antibiotic resistance

genes, and systemic complications. In contrast, postbiotics—defined as inanimate microorganisms

and/or their cellular components—offer a safer alternative by providing similar health benefits

However, safety assessments of postbiotics remain limited and must address critical issues such as

cytotoxicity, impurity profiles, and dose–response uncertainties, which are currently under-

explored in the literature. Their enhanced stability under various environmental conditions further

supports their application in inhibiting foodborne pathogens and extending product shelf life.

This review critically evaluates the safety profiles of probiotics and postbiotics, offering a

balanced analysis of their benefits and limitations, with particular attention to emerging safety

concerns, risk assessment criteria, and applications in food safety and human health. Despite their

promising safety profile, widespread adoption of postbiotics is hindered by the absence of

standardized safety protocols and long-term toxicological data. Future research should therefore

prioritize establishing evidence-based safety criteria, optimizing dosage and formulation for both

probiotics and postbiotics, and addressing existing knowledge gaps through rigorous, targeted

clinical studies, especially in vulnerable population.