Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Research of Agricultural and Food Technologies (I-CRAFT 2025)

Psycbiotic Agents: The Neuroactive Metabolites of Probiotics

Authors
Nurten Yilmaz1, *, Uğur Zülkadir2
1Cukurova University, Vocational School of Karaisalı, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, Adana, Turkey
2Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
*Corresponding author. Email: ntoy@cu.edu.tr
Corresponding Author
Nurten Yilmaz
Available Online 7 May 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6239-666-1_56How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Biogenic amines; microbial metabolites; probiotics; postbiotics; fermented products; gut bacteria; psychobiotics
Abstract

The gut–brain axis has attracted growing attention, given that microbial activity can significantly influence host neurophysiology. Central to this interaction are biogenic amines, including serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tryptamine and phenylethylamine, which are synthesised by selected probiotic strains as microbial metabolites. These metabolites act as postbiotic agents, maintaining biological activity independently of bacterial viability and representing a mechanistic link between gut bacteria and mental health. Both gut-resident probiotics and fermented products are sources of these compounds, as microbial communities transform dietary substrates into various neuroactive molecules. This metabolic capacity underscores the role of gut bacteria as functional hubs that produce psychobiotic agents. By modulating neurotransmission, immune responses and stress-related pathways, postbiotic biogenic amines provide the basis for innovative nutritional and therapeutic approaches. The interplay between probiotics, their metabolites, and fermentation-derived postbiotics emphasises their potential for supporting mental well-being.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

Volume Title
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Research of Agricultural and Food Technologies (I-CRAFT 2025)
Series
Atlantis Highlights in Sustainable Development
Publication Date
7 May 2026
ISBN
978-94-6239-666-1
ISSN
3005-155X
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6239-666-1_56How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Nurten Yilmaz
AU  - Uğur Zülkadir
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/07
TI  - Psycbiotic Agents: The Neuroactive Metabolites of Probiotics
BT  - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Research of Agricultural and Food Technologies (I-CRAFT 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 626
EP  - 637
SN  - 3005-155X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-666-1_56
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-666-1_56
ID  - Yilmaz2026
ER  -