• Antibiofilm potential of postbiotics in improving human health
  • Mohammadreza Ziavand,1,* Nader Khani,2
    1. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Nutrition, Tabriz, Iran.
    2. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Nutrition, Tabriz, Iran.


  • Introduction: Biofilms are sessile microbial consortia embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix, commonly found in medical, industrial, and ecological environments. Biofilm-associated infections, particularly on medical implants and internal devices, are difficult to eradicate due to their resistance to antibiotics and immune responses, leading to severe and sometimes fatal complications. Postbiotics, defined as soluble metabolites released by probiotics or their lysis, have recently gained attention as potential antibiofilm agents owing to their safety, stability, and diverse bioactive compounds.
  • Methods: This review is based on the evaluation of scientific literature regarding the application of postbiotics against biofilm formation. Studies investigating biofilm prevention, disruption, and the underlying mechanisms of postbiotic activity were systematically analyzed.
  • Results: Evidence indicates that postbiotics, including bacteriocins, biosurfactants, and exopolysaccharides, possess significant antibiofilm activity. Their mechanisms involve the inhibition of microbial adhesion and migration, interference with quorum sensing pathways, and suppression of virulence factors, thereby reducing biofilm development and persistence.
  • Conclusion: Postbiotics represent a promising non-pharmacological strategy to control biofilm-associated infections. Their unique properties, such as well-defined chemical structures, safe dosage parameters, and long shelf life, highlight their potential as innovative agents in medical biotechnology for combating biofilm-related complications.
  • Keywords: Biofilm; Postbiotics; Antibiofilm; Quorum sensing; Probiotics