EXPLORE FURTHER
Understand strains and designations with confidence
Why genus, species and strain identifier should be considered together.
Pro
live microorganisms at the centre
TERMS EXPLAINED SIMPLY
Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics: What is the idea behind each?
Four similar names. Four different concepts. Living microorganisms have different requirements for a formulation than a prebiotic substrate or a defined postbiotic preparation.
Understand the terms clearly and find the right questions for the next step in your product development.
Pre & Syn
substrates alone or meaningfully combined
Post
defined inactivated preparations
FOUR CONCEPTS
The differences at a glance
Similar names, but different scientific foundations and different starting questions for your product development.
| Term | Scientific basis | Starting question for your product |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotics | Live microorganisms that confer a health benefit when administered in adequate amounts | Which identified cultures and what quantity are planned? |
| Prebiotics | Substrates selectively used by host microorganisms that thereby confer a health benefit | Which specific raw material meets these requirements? |
| Synbiotics | A combination of live microorganisms and selectively used substrates that confers a health benefit | How is the combination justified and studied? |
| Postbiotics | Preparations of non-living microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit | What defined preparation and supporting evidence are available? |
The table summarises the scientific consensus definitions. It does not describe a general effect of any specific Schneider Solutions product. ISAPP: Comparing the definitions
LIVE CULTURES
What are probiotics? Cultures must fit the concept.
Probiotics centre on live microorganisms. Scientific classification requires both an appropriate amount and the necessary evidence of a health benefit. A bacterial name or a high number on a label alone therefore does not make a product a scientifically substantiated probiotic.
When developing a product, we start with the specific strain selection, intended serving and desired version. If you already have documentation, we include it in the project assessment.
Learn more
-
Explore the probiotic strains wiki
-
QUALITY
Put CFU, serving size and shelf life in context
Read the quality guideA large number alone does not provide a sound product assessment.
SELECTIVELY USED SUBSTRATES
What are prebiotics? Not every fibre meets the definition.
Prebiotics are substrates selectively used by certain host microorganisms that thereby confer a health benefit. Studied prebiotic substance groups include certain inulin-type fructans and galactooligosaccharides. However, the term “fibre” alone does not establish whether a specific raw material meets the prebiotic criteria for a particular use.
For your formulation, we therefore ask specific questions: which raw material should be used? What quantity is planned? How does this quantity fit the product format and overall composition?
This is particularly useful when comparing a capsule product with a powder blend. The two formats offer different ways to deliver a planned serving.
COMBINATION WITH A CONCEPT
What are synbiotics? The combination needs a clear rationale.
Synbiotics combine live microorganisms with selectively used substrates. The consensus distinguishes two concepts:
- Complementary synbiotics: The components individually meet the requirements for probiotics and prebiotics and can act independently.
- Synergistic synbiotics: The substrate is specifically selected for the microorganisms administered alongside it. The individual components do not each have to meet the definition of a probiotic or prebiotic on their own.
For both concepts, a demonstrated health benefit is part of the scientific classification. An arbitrary mixture of cultures and fibres is therefore not automatically a well-founded synbiotic.
For your project, we want to understand why you wish to combine the components and what documentation is already available. This creates a formulation with a clear starting point.
DEFINED PREPARATIONS
What are postbiotics? Deliberate inactivation is different from accidental loss of viability.
Postbiotics are based on defined preparations of non-living microorganisms and/or their components. Here too, a health benefit forms part of the scientific definition.
Cultures that lose viability during storage do not automatically become postbiotics. Isolated metabolites alone also do not meet the ISAPP definition. The preparation, production process and supporting evidence are decisive.
Interested in a postbiotic product? We assess the specific raw material and desired version as a separate development project. Requirements are not simply transferred from a formulation containing live cultures.
A CLEAR BRIEF
Your product idea deserves a clear concept.
Perhaps your brand already exists. Perhaps you are creating a new product line. Four clear answers are enough to get started.
Describe the product goal
Which product should complement your range?
Record the ingredients
Which ingredients or cultures do you have in mind?
Choose the product format
What form should the product take, such as capsules or powder?
Define the target market
In which market would you like to sell it?
FROM IDEA TO IMPLEMENTATION
We turn your brief into concrete development steps.
Raw material selection, formulation, manufacturability and product requirements are defined together. Scientific definitions and studies do not replace assessment of planned advertising and labelling claims. Foods are subject to their own legal requirements in this regard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the four concepts
Concise answers about the key differences.
Probiotics centre on live microorganisms. Prebiotics are substrates selectively used by host microorganisms. For both terms, a health benefit forms part of the scientific definition.
The category name does not establish such a ranking. The specific composition, intended use and available evidence must be considered together.
You can enquire about this concept as an individual development project. We assess the raw materials, planned quantities and suitable product version.
A comparison based only on colony-forming units does not suit a deliberately inactivated preparation. The relevant measurements and specifications depend on the individual raw material and product.
Do you have any further questions?
Veuillez contacter notre équipe d'assistance à l'adresse
help@schneider-solutions.store
YOUR NEXT STEP
Which concept fits your product idea?
Start with a directly available probiotic configuration or bring your individual idea into development.