New perspectives on key bioactive molecules of lactic acid bacteria: integrating targeted screening, key gene exploration and functional evaluation

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are renowned for their ability to produce a wide array of bioactive molecules with significant implications for human health, industrial applications, and food fermentation. This review provides new perspectives on the key bioactive molecules of LAB by integrating targeted screening approaches, key gene exploration, and comprehensive functional evaluations. It discusses advanced screening techniques, including high-throughput and bioinformatics-driven approaches, to identify LAB strains with probiotic properties. Additionally, this review addresses the exploration of key genes using genomic data, providing insights into the regulatory mechanisms that govern metabolite biosynthesis. Key bioactive molecules such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), exopolysaccharides (EPS), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and bacteriocins are highlighted for their diverse bioactive properties, including gastrointestinal (GI) tract function, metabolic diseases prevention, nervous system protection, and anticancer effects. Functional evaluations, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasize the health-promoting benefits of these bioactive molecules, linking them to improved gastrointestinal health, metabolic regulation, and immune function. Furthermore, the future directions for optimizing LAB strains through metabolic engineering and biotechnological advancements are also discussed, aiming to enhance the production of beneficial bioactive molecules.