Probiotics and Prebiotics: Concepts, Definitions and History - Aquaculture Nutrition: Gut Health, Probiotics and Prebiotics - page 169

7 Probiotics and Prebiotics: Concepts,

Definitions and History

Hélène L. Lauzon 1 , Arkadios Dimitroglou 2 , Daniel L.
Merrifield 3 , Einar Ringø 4 and Simon J. Davies 3
1 Matís ohf, Reykjavík, Iceland
2 Nireus Aquaculture SA, Chalkida, Greece
3 School of Biological Sciences, Plymouth University, UK
4 Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway,
Tromsø, Norway

ABSTRACT

Probiotics and prebiotics are considered as novel functional ingredients that can be applied to
influence the host's microbiota, which in turn plays an important role in the nutrition, develop-
ment, health and well-being of the host. Following the 2006 EU ban on antimicrobial growth
promoters in agri-business production, the use of alternative prophylactic methods has been
emphasized. This chapter presents the concepts, definitions and history of probiotics and pre-
biotics, summarizing the fields of their applications and corresponding benefits.

7.1 INTRODUCTION

Increasingly, technologies to enhance human and animal health through natural solutions
are gaining in popularity. Recently, it has become clear that the intestinal microbiota plays
an important role in the health and well-being of aquatic animals analogously to terrestrial
animals. Microbial metabolic activities ensure the uptake of energy and the absorption
of nutrients, promote gastric development, and stimulate epithelial cell proliferation and
differentiation, while maintaining mucosal tolerance and providing protective functions
against pathogens (Guarner and Malagelada 2003). As a result, there is great scientific interest
in modulation of the intestinal microbiota in favour of beneficial bacteria through the use
of novel functional food ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics and in some cases the
combination of probiotics with prebiotics (i.e. synbiotics).