Advanced biotechnological processes to develop innovative probiotics with the ability to modulate intestinal microbiota

There is constant research in biotechnological processes to develop delivery systems for drugs, nucleic acids, and other active compounds for different biomedical applications. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are intact bacterial cell envelopes that are emptied of their interior contents by activation of channels located in the cell membrane. In this sense, BGs are currently being used as vaccine delivery systems and vaccine adjuvants. In addition, the possibility of using BGs as new delivery systems for drugs, active compounds, etc. is being investigated since they have inherent immunogenicity, which allows targeted administration of the compounds that are transported and controlled release. Accordingly, the use of BGs as carrier vehicles will make it possible to guarantee, on the one hand, that the drugs arrive at the place of interest without undergoing modifications due to external factors. On the other hand, it will allow to guarantee the release at the place of interest by the receptors of membrane possessed by BG. The use of probiotic bacteria to make BGs may have an additional beneficial effect on human/animal health. In recent years, different terms related to probiotic bacteria have appeared, and specifically, the term parabiotics encompasses nonviable probiotics, inactive probiotics, or ghost probiotics. Therefore, a new avenue of research within the field of probiotics is their use as a vehicle for the transport of beneficial compounds (such as drugs) to different tissues, such as the intestinal microbiota and its interrelationship with it. In addition, there are different routes of administration of these delivery systems, BG, through the mucous membranes (nasal cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and ocular administration) and intravenous injection.