When the<unk> concept was first introduced in 1995, the primary focus was on the effects that<unk>  confer on Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. With improved mechanistic techniques in recent years, the current<unk> targets have expanded to a wider range of microbes, including Roseburia spp., Eubacterium spp., Akkermansia spp., Christensenella spp., Propionibacterium spp. and Faecalibacterium spp. These bacteria have been highlighted as key<unk> s and beneficial gut bacteria as they may have several beneficial effects on the host in terms of improving digestion (including but not limited to enhancing mineral absorption) and the effectiveness and intrinsic strength of the immune system. Both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus have been shown to have differing<unk> specificity and to selectively ferment<unk> fiber based on the enzymes characteristic of the bacterial population. Thus, Lactobacilli prefers inulin and fructooligosaccharides, while Bifidobacteria displays specificity for inulin, fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides. Studies have also shown that<unk> , besides stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, can also inhibit the growth of detrimental and potentially pathogenic microbes in the gut, such as clostridia. Mechanism of action Fermentation is the main mechanism of action by which<unk>  are used by beneficial bacteria in the colon. Both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus are bacterial populations which use saccharolytic metabolism to break down substrates. The bifidobacterial genome contains many genes that encode for carbohydrate-modifying enzymes as well as genes that encode for carbohydrate uptake proteins. The presence of these genes indicates that Bifidobacteria contain specific metabolic pathways specialized for the fermentation and metabolism of plant-derived oligosaccharides, or<unk> . These pathways in Bifidobacteria ultimately produce short chain fatty acids, which have diverse physiological roles in body functions.
Prebiotic 
Probiotic
Postbiotic
Antiseptic
Cathartic
Anthelmintic
Fungicide
Antiparasitic