Current status of C<SUB>30</SUB> carotenoid materials from lactic acid bacteria and potential for postbiotics development

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are well-known for their role in the food, agriculture, and health industries. The health benefits of LAB include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection, immunomodulatory effects, anti-obesity effects, enhanced bioavailability of bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial properties. Many LAB are well-known probiotics and certain species have been identified as carotenoid-producers, giving them a new identity as potential postbiotic sources of carotenoids, in addition to the benefits that LAB already possess. Although the most abundant microbial carotenoids have CSUB40/SUB backbones, carotenogenic genes in LAB are specific to CSUB30/SUB carotenoid synthesis. This review discusses the production and optimization of identified CSUB30/SUB carotenoids by LAB and the current status of CSUB30/SUB carotenoid-producing LAB, to establish their potential in postbiotic development. The absorption of carotenoids in the gut is also explored to better understand the applications of viable LAB-carotenoid postbiotics in fermented food products and probiotic supplements.