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Postbiotics

Postbiotics are produced by means of a specialized fermentation process in which baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is deprived of oxygen (anaerobically).

Thus, metabolites are formed including proteins, peptides, antioxidants, polyphenols, organic acids, nucleotides, polysaccharides (beta-1,3/1,6-glucans) and mannans.

What are Postbiotics?

Postbiotic supplement

In the scientific literature, various terms have been used to refer to these bioactive compounds that do not fall under the known categories of probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics (combination pro- and prebiotics). Terms such as non-viable probiotics, paraprobiotics, ghostbiotics, heat-inactivated probiotics have been mentioned, but most often they are referred to postbiotics.

EpiCor®

EpiCor® is currently the No. 1 postbiotic that has received the most research. EpiCor® postbiotic is an innovative "whole food" fermentate. That is, all components of the fermentation process are still present in the final product.

EpiCor® is a patented trademark of Cargill that has been developing specialized postbiotic fermentates for more than 75 years.

Definition

In 2021, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defined a postbiotic as, "A preparation of non-living microorganisms and/or their components that provide a health benefit to the host."

This definition of postbiotic requires that all or components of inactivated microbes be present, with or without metabolic end products.

Use

A postbiotic is very good to use as an adjunct to a pre- and/or a probiotic, but can also be used on its own in situations where a pre- or probiotic is less appropriate.

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