Probiotic: conceptualization from a new approach

According to the proposed definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics must be alive and abundant once ingested. However, during recent years, new definitions are added to the probiotic terminology such as 'paraprobiotics' (dead/inactive cells of probiotics) and 'postbiotics' (healthful metabolites of probiotics), because findings have shown that dead cells (intact or ruptured) could also show significant health impacts on human. However, mentioned terms are not accurate and impressive enough to reflect the intended meanings regarding all states of probiotic benefits and it seems that a disturbance and confusion in probiotic glossary has been occurred. As a result, a new terminology based on a new efficient approach and conceptualization is needed for a global agreement and usage. In the present paper, we are honored to propose such terminology to provide mentioned comprehensive approach and terminology for all aspects of probiotic benefits. We are proposing three main classes of probiotic including 'true probiotic' (TP) referring to viable and active probiotic cell, 'pseudo-probiotic' (PP) referring to viable and inactive cell, in the forms of vegetative or spore (PPV or PPS) and 'ghost probiotic' (GP) referring to dead/nonviable cell, in the forms of intact or ruptured (GPI or GPR). Each of these classes are classified into two groups based on their site of action/impact: internal (in vivo) or external (in vitro).