Table 1.

Terminology regarding the field of probiotics and prebiotics. Adapted from the ISAPP and [22].

Biogenic: refers to goods derived from or produced by living organisms, including their secretions and metabolic processes.

Probiotics: are living bacteria that provide a health advantage to the host when given in sufficient quantities.

Prebiotic: A substance that cannot be digested and metabolised by gut microbes. This process alters the makeup and activity of the gut microbiota, resulting in a positive physiological impact on the host.

Synbiotic: Refers to the combination of probiotics and prebiotics. This combination enhances the survival and establishment of living microorganisms and dietary supplements in the gastrointestinal tract. These supplements selectively promote the growth and activate the metabolism of specific beneficial bacteria, ultimately improving the well-being of the host.

Postbiotics: a bioproduct derived from inanimate microorganisms and their components that provides a health advantage to the recipient.

Live biotherapeutic product (LBP): A biological product of living organisms. It is used to prevent, treat, or cure diseases or conditions in human beings, although it is not classified as a vaccination.

Next-generation probiotic (NGP): living microorganisms found through comparative microbiota investigations that provide a health benefit when supplied in sufficient quantities.

Candidate prebiotic oligosaccharides: oligomers that satisfy current prebiotic criteria but await in vivo confirmation.

Faecal microbial transplantation: transfer of beneficial bacteria from a healthy donor into the intestines of a recipient patient using a processed liquid stool combination.

Fatty acids: carboxylic acids that have aliphatic chains and may exist in either saturated or unsaturated forms.

Fermentable fibres: refer to dietary fibres that are metabolised by microbial activity in the gastrointestinal tract.

Fermented foods: refer to food and drinks that have undergone microbial growth and activity.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): organisms that have undergone genetic alterations via the use of genetic engineering methods.

Microbial consortia: composed of a complex combination of microbial species that engage in symbiotic relationships, a puzzle that may consist of well-defined groups with thoroughly characterised members or unspecified combinations, inviting further exploration.

Non-carbohydrate substrates: refer to microbial growth factors that can support growth without relying on the breakdown of sugars.

Polyphenols: plant substances that naturally include phenol groups.