Marine Bacterium From Flatfish Gut Shows Promise as a Postbiotic Weapon

Researchers at the University of Málaga examined a marine bacterium isolated from the gut of a wedge sole and concluded it could be more useful as a postbiotic source than as a live probiotic. The strain, Vibrio proteolyticus DCF12.2, was studied for potential use in aquaculture as a natural defense against bacterial pathogens. In a paper in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, the team used genome sequencing and lab assays, finding strong antimicrobial potential but also genetic traits linked to virulence that make live deployment questionable. The study emphasizes the difference between probiotics—live microbes that provide benefits—and postbiotics, which are bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial peptides, enzymes and cell wall components produced by bacteria. The researchers identified biosynthetic gene clusters tied to compounds including arylpolyenes, amphibactin-type metallophores, ectoine and hybrid RiPP-NRPS-like pathways.