International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics

We advance scientific excellence in probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods.

What We Do

Scientific leadership

Identifying key priorities and controversies in the field, we bring together leading scientists to publish evidence-based summaries that highlight research gaps and provide expert perspectives to move the field forward.

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Community building

We bring together researchers in the field from across academia, industry and government, supporting scientific discussions that lead to new collaborations and rigorous research outputs.

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Growing knowledge

We engage with researchers, clinicians, industry members, students, the media,and the general public, communicating evidence-based information on the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods.

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  • Maria at Sitges

    ISAPP President Prof. Maria Marco Honored with LABIP Award at 15th Annual International Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria
    ISAPP President, Prof. Maria Marco PhD, received the prestigious LABIP Award for Mid-Career Senior Researcher at the 15th Annual International Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria.
    ISAPP Editorial Team

    ISAPP Editorial Team

  • Cheese

    Harnessing the power of fermented foods as bioactive delivery systems
    Working with a local artisan cheese producer our team at the University of Reading applied a molecular phenotyping approach to characterise different cheeses; not just…
    Dr. Anisha Wijeyesekera, PhD

    Dr. Anisha Wijeyesekera, PhD

  • Test tube full of amber liquid, held up by a blue gloved hand in a science lab.

    Speaker spotlight: Prof. Michael Gänzle on current directions in research on lactobacilli
    Prof. Gänzle describes how research on lactobacilli has evolved over the past few decades, including recent developments and future directions.
    Kristina Campbell, MSc

    Kristina Campbell, MSc

Building a thriving community of scientists collaborating on rigorous research and providing expert guidance for the field.

ISAPP activities have impact in the scientific field and beyond.

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Key Topics

Looking for information? ISAPP has a wealth of science-based resources for learning about probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods.

Explore Topics Here

Probiotics

Many consumer products that are labelled “probiotic” don’t really qualify as probiotics. Find out which products meet the criteria for probiotics and what they can do for your health.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are often confused with dietary fiber, but some important differences exist. Learn about prebiotics and where to find them in both foods and supplements.

Synbiotics

Scientists consider synbiotics promising for improving health, with several health benefits already demonstrated in scientific studies. Discover how synbiotics work and how to identify a true symbiotic.

Postbiotics

Many misconceptions exist about postbiotics, even as they’re beginning to appear in more and more consumer products. Set the record straight about what postbiotics are and what health benefits are emerging in the scientific literature.

Fermented Foods

From chocolate to yogurt to kimchi, some of your favorite foods may owe their distinctive flavor or texture to the work of microbes. Discover the role of microorganisms in fermented foods and what we know about their health benefits.

Live Dietary Microbes

Many of the safe, live microorganisms found in foods don’t qualify as probiotics, but they may still be worth consuming every day. Discover where to find live dietary microbes and how they may benefit your health.

Gut Health

As the importance of gut health becomes more widely recognized, ISAPP scientists have proposed a clear definition that can be used by scientists and others in the field. Find out our definition of gut health and how to support your own gut functioning.

Microbiome

The microorganisms living in your digestive tract are crucial for maintaining your overall good health, contributing to digestion, immunity, metabolism and more. Discover the science on how your microbiome relates to probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics and fermented foods.

Learn more about how the ISAPP community advances the science of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods.

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Publications

Scientific publications are regularly produced as a result of ISAPP meetings and collaborations.

Meetings

ISAPP’s annual meeting is known for high-caliber scientific discussion and collaboration.

Awards

ISAPP has three awards that are given out annually to individuals who demonstrate scientific excellence.

Resources

Explore ISAPP’s collection of resources that are both scientifically accurate and easy to understand.

Featured Resources

  • prebiotic checklist

    Checklist of Cumulative Required Evidence for a Prebiotic
    The aim of this checklist is to provide researchers clearly stated criteria that may assist with the scientific rationale for calling a substance ‘prebiotic’.
  • Kort picture resized

    Science, Microbes & Health Video Series: Prof. Remco Kort PhD
    In this Science, Microbes & Health video, get to know Prof. Remco Kort PhD, the winner of the 2025 Sanders Award for Advancing Biotic Science. Prof. Kort describes his scientific outreach work on the Micropia Museum and Yoba for Life.
  • Desjardins cover series

    Interactions of polyphenols in the gut, with Prof. Yves Desjardins PhD
    This episode features Prof. Yves Desjardins PhD from Laval University in Canada. Prof. Desjardins, an agrologist by training, explains that polyphenols are metabolites synthesized by plants and present in the plant foods we consume. When humans consume polyphenols, we absorb a small fraction (around 5%) of them in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but most of…
  • Understanding Gut Health scaled

    Understanding Gut Health
    Why is gut health important, how do we know if we have good gut health and how can we improve it?