Microbial Biopolymers and Postbiotic Molecules for Gut Health, Food Protection, and Functional Biomaterials

Microbial biopolymers and fermentation-derived bioactive molecules have emerged as promising functional entities with broad relevance to food science, human health, nutrition, and materials science. Among these, microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS), cell-wall-derived polymers, oligosaccharides, postbiotic metabolites, and structurally diverse fermentation-derived biomolecules are attracting increasing scientific attention due to their multifunctional biological activities and the structural diversity underpinning these properties.Recent advances in microbial glycoscience, systems biology, analytical characterization, and precision fermentation technologies have significantly improved our understanding of the structure–function relationships governing the biological and techno-functional properties of these biomolecules. Their known biological activities span gut microbiota modulation, immunometabolic regulation, food system interactions, and functional engagement with host physiology.This Research Topic aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform highlighting recent progress in the discovery, molecular characterization, and mechanistic understanding of microbial biopolymers and fermentation-derived bioactive molecules. Particular emphasis will be placed on microbial exopolysaccharides, cell-wall-derived polymers, and structurally characterized postbiotic fractions, as well as their molecular interactions with host physiology, microbiota, and food systems.The topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and methodological advances addressing molecular, cellular, and mechanistic aspects of microbial glycoscience and fermentation biotechnology.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:- Structure–function relationships of microbial biopolymers, glycopolymers, and fermentation-derived biomolecules- Biochemical and molecular characterization of microbial exopolysaccharides, cell-wall-associated polymers, and related glycoconjugates- Biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms involved in microbial biopolymer production, biosynthesis, and functionality- Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying prebiotic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, metabolic, and epithelial barrier-regulatory activities- Mechanistic insights into glycopolymers towards host–microbe interactions, microbiota modulation, and gut microbial ecology- Emerging analytical and molecular approaches for characterisation of microbial biopolymers and postbiotic fractions Topic editors: Dr. Digambar Kavitake, Kolawole Banwo, Koteswara Reddy Chagam Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79911/microbial-biopolymers-and-postbiotic-molecules-for-gut-health-food-protection-and-functional-biomaterials