Topics and Trends in Most Cited Probiotics and Fermented Foods Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Probiotics and Fermented Foods research in the Class of 2026?

Intestinal barrier function and microencapsulation for probiotics are the most dominant topics in the Class of 2026, alongside therapeutic applications for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis. Notably, specific strains such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri saw massive growth compared to the previous cohort, reinforcing a shift toward targeted therapies.

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Updated July 29, 2026

At a glance

Field
Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
9,612
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Intestinal barrier function, Inflammatory bowel disease, Microencapsulation
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
38–117
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 9,612
11718m citations

Bacteroides uniformis degrades β-glucan to promote Lactobacillus johnsonii improving indole-3-lactic acid levels in alleviating colitis

Shanshan Zhang, Qixing Nie, Yonggan Sun et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01896-9

Mingyong Xie, Shaoping NieNanchang University, China

β-glucanBacteroides uniformisLactobacillus johnsoniiindole-3-lactic acidaryl hydrocarbon receptorcolitisCross-feedingnicotinamidedietary fiberMulti-omics analysisLactobacillus abundanceβ-glucan degradationAhR activationInflammatory bowel diseaseGut microbiota modulation
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#2 of 9,612
9318m citations

Unexplored microbial diversity from 2,500 food metagenomes and links with the human microbiome

Niccolò Carlino et al.Cell202410.1016/j.cell.2024.07.039

Niccolò CarlinoUniversity of Trento, Italy

Food metagenomeMicrobial diversityhuman microbiomeMetagenomicsfood-associated microbesmicrobial transmissionFermented foodsmicrobial species discoverymetagenome-assembled genomesfood microbiotastrain-level analysisIntestinal colonizationmicrobial source trackingnovel microbial taxafood-to-human transfer
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#3 of 9,612
8118m citations

Galactooligosaccharides and Limosilactobacillus reuteri synergistically alleviate gut inflammation and barrier dysfunction by enriching Bacteroides acidifaciens for pentadecanoic acid biosynthesis

Yujun Wu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-53144-1

Junjun WangChina Agricultural University, China

galactooligosaccharidesLimosilactobacillus reuteriSynbioticulcerative colitisBacteroides acidifacienspentadecanoic acidodd-chain fatty acidIntestinal barrier functionGut dysbiosistight junctionNF-κB activationMurine colitis modellipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammationInflammatory bowel disease
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#5 of 9,612
6518m citations

Responsively Degradable Nanoarmor‐Assisted Super Resistance and Stable Colonization of Probiotics for Enhanced Inflammation‐Targeted Delivery

Limeng Zhu et al.Advanced Materials202410.1002/adma.202308728

Na Li, Xingjie ZanWenzhou Medical University, China

responsively degradable nanoarmorProbioticsInflammation-targeted deliveryInflammatory bowel diseaseGut microbiota modulationoral microecological preparationsHA-functionalized nanoarmorsingle-cell coatingMucoadhesiontransferrin-directed degradationarmored probioticsgastrointestinal tractpathological microenvironmentProbiotic viabilityintraluminal conditionsMicrobial therapy
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#6 of 9,612
6318m citations

Lactobacillus acidophilus suppresses non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma through producing valeric acid

Harry Cheuk-Hay Lau et al.EBioMedicine202410.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104952

Jun YuThe Chinese University of Hong Kong, China

Lactobacillus acidophilusNAFLD-HCCvaleric aciddiethylnitrosamineHigh-fat high-cholesterol dietCholine-deficient high-fat dietGerm-free miceorthotopic allograftsMetabolomicsLC-MSmouse organoidsIntestinal barrier functionGPR41/43Rho-GTPase pathwayProbiotic supplementationL. acidophilus conditional mediumportal vein metabolites
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#7 of 9,612
5518m citations

Targeted delivery of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii to the extracellular matrix enhances gut residence time and recovery in murine colitis

Mairead K Heavey et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-48128-0

Janelle C. Arthur, Juliane NguyenUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States

Saccharomyces boulardiiprobiotic yeast platformextracellular matrix targetingantibody surface displaygut residence timeulcerative colitisMurine colitis modelProbiotic engineeringinflammatory lesionsgastrointestinal tractcolon lengthcolonic cytokine expressionhistological inflammation scorespharmacodynamic parametersInflammatory bowel diseaseIntestinal colonizationMicrobial therapyoral dosage form
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#10 of 9,612
5118m citations

Precision fermentation in the realm of microbial protein production: State-of-the-art and future insights

Alzira Aparecida Pereira et al.Food Research International202410.1016/j.foodres.2024.115527

Anuj Kumar ChandelUniversity of São Paulo, Brazil

precision fermentationmicrobial protein productionalternative proteinfermentation optimizationbioprocess engineeringmicrobial biomasssingle-cell proteinrecombinant protein expressionmetabolic engineeringstrain developmentbioreactor designdownstream processingprotein yield optimizationscalabilitytechno-economic analysissustainability assessmentregulatory frameworkfood security
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#11 of 9,612
4818m citations

Antibacterial mechanisms of diacetyl on Listeria monocytogenes and its application in Inner Mongolian cheese preservation via gelatin-based edible films

Haiying Cui et al.Food Control202410.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110920

Ce Shi, Lin LinJiangsu University, China

diacetylListeria monocytogenesantibacterial mechanismsInner Mongolian cheesegelatin-based edible filmsPostbioticsMinimum inhibitory concentrationbacterial membrane integrityintracellular materials leakagereactive oxygen speciescomposite edible filmsmechanical propertiesIntestinal barrier functionshelf life extensionlipid oxidationcheese preservationAntioxidant activitychallenge test
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#12 of 9,612
4718m citations

Primary succession of Bifidobacteria drives pathogen resistance in neonatal microbiota assembly

Yan Shao et al.Nature Microbiology202410.1038/s41564-024-01804-9

Yan Shao, Trevor D. LawleyWellcome Sanger Institute, United Kingdom

Microbial community assemblyBifidobacteriumprimary colonizationcommunity statesEnterococcus faecalisBifidobacterium longumBifidobacterium brevepathogen colonization resistancelongitudinal faecal metagenomicsbreast milk adaptationstrain-specific functional adaptationsGerm-free micematernal ageethnicityparity
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#13 of 9,612
4718m citations

<i>Clostridium sporogenes</i> -derived metabolites protect mice against colonic inflammation

Felix F Krause et al.Gut Microbes202410.1080/19490976.2024.2412669

Alexander VisekrunaPhilipps-University, Germany

Clostridium sporogenesindole-3-propionic acidIPABranched-chain fatty acidsisobutyrateisovalerateShort-chain fatty acidsGerm-free micemono-colonizationcolonic tuft cellsRegulatory T cellsDSS-induced colitisTh17 cellsIL-17A suppressionmTOR activityIL-22 productionInflammatory bowel disease
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#14 of 9,612
4618m citations

Clinical Use of Paraprobiotics for Pregnant Women with Periodontitis: Randomized Clinical Trial

Andrea Butera et al.Dentistry Journal202410.3390/dj12040116

Maurizio Pascadopoli, Maria Gloria Nardi, Andrea ScribanteUniversity of Pavia, Italy

paraprobioticsperiodontal diseasepregnant womenpuerperaeparaprobiotic-based toothpasteparaprobiotic-based mousseBiorepair Peribioma Proclinical attachment lossprobing pocket depthbleeding on probingplaque control recordmodified marginal gingival indexpapillary marginal gingival indexgingival recessionsperiodontal healthhome oral care
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#15 of 9,612
4418m citations

Lactobacillaceae differentially impact butyrate-producing gut microbiota to drive CNS autoimmunity

Theresa L Montgomery et al.Gut Microbes202410.1080/19490976.2024.2418415

Dimitry N. KrementsovUniversity of Vermont, United States

LactobacillaceaeLimosilactobacillus reuteriLigilactobacillus murinusShort-chain fatty acidsButyrateexperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitismultiple sclerosisCNS autoimmunityLachnospiraceaePrevotellaceaeBifidobacteriumbacteriocinsdietary fiberGut microbiota modulationSCFA-producing microbiota depletionminimal microbiome cultureButyrate productionPrebioticsMicrobial interactionsfiber supplementation
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#16 of 9,612
3918m citations

Taking SCFAs produced by Lactobacillus reuteri orally reshapes gut microbiota and elicits antitumor responses

Nannan Li, Lili Niu, Yao Liu et al.Journal of Nanobiotechnology202410.1186/s12951-024-02506-4

Huishu Guo, Jingru Gong, Shun ShenDalian Medical University, China

Limosilactobacillus reuteriShort-chain fatty acidscolorectal canceralginate-chitosan encapsulationGut dysbiosisProteobacteriaFusobacteriotaBacteroidotaFirmicutesButyrateGPR109AMK-6892apoptosis inductionMicroencapsulationcolonic epithelial cellsbacterial mutualophy
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#17 of 9,612
3918m citations

Functional roles and engineering strategies to improve the industrial functionalities of lactic acid bacteria during food fermentation

Huan Yang et al.Biotechnology Advances202410.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108397

Chongde WuSichuan University, China

lactic acid bacteriaFermentationindustrial functionalitiesmetabolic engineeringProbiotic propertiesexopolysaccharide productionbacteriocin productionFlavor compound biosynthesisstress tolerancegenetic modification strategiesfermentation optimizationbiopreservationStarter cultureGRAS statustechno-functional traits
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#18 of 9,612
3918m citations

Design and reporting of prebiotic and probiotic clinical trials in the context of diet and the gut microbiome

Kevin Whelan et al.Nature Microbiology202410.1038/s41564-024-01831-6

Kevin Whelan, Maria L. MarcoKing's College London, United Kingdom

PrebioticsProbioticsclinical trial designGut microbiotadietary interventionMicrobial therapytrial reporting standardsdiet-microbiome interactionmicrobiome baseline characterizationprobiotic strain selectionmicrobiome endpointsdietary confounderscompositional data analysisMetagenomics16S rRNA sequencingmicrobiome variabilityfunctional metabolic outcomes
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#19 of 9,612
3918m citations

Gastrointestinal Self-Adaptive and Nutrient Self-Sufficient <i>Akkermansia muciniphila</i>–Gelatin Porous Microgels for Synergistic Therapy of Ulcerative Colitis

Yujie Zhang et al.ACS Nano202410.1021/acsnano.4c07658

Ya Wang, Daocheng Wu, Junjun SheThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China

Akkermansia muciniphilagelatin porous microgelsulcerative colitisproanthocyanidinsMucinphosphatidylcholinematrix metalloproteinase-responsive degradationGastrointestinal toleranceIntestinal colonizationROS scavengingMucus layergoblet cellsIntestinal barrier functionGut microbiota modulationmethacrylate-modified gelatinMicroencapsulationMucoadhesionInflammation-targeted deliveryIBD treatment
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#20 of 9,612
3818m citations

Akkermansia muciniphila ONE effectively ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Hongyan Zhang et al.npj Science of Food202410.1038/s41538-024-00339-x

Dayong Ren, Bin JiangJilin Agricultural University, China

Akkermansia muciniphilaAKK ONE strainulcerative colitisdextran sulfate sodiumDSS-induced colitisIntestinal barrier functionoccludinclaudin-1IL-1βIL-6TNF-αInterleukin-10disease activity indexGut microbiotaBacteroidesShort-chain fatty acidscecal contentsProbiotic supplementationinflammatory cytokines
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Probiotics and Fermented Foods

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 for Probiotics and Fermented Foods is heavily defined by research into delivery mechanisms and therapeutic efficacy. Intestinal barrier function (26% normalized frequency) and microencapsulation (22%) are the top themes, highlighting a major push to ensure probiotics survive digestion to reach the lower gut and actively restore epithelial integrity. Beyond delivery, therapeutic applications are highly prominent, particularly concerning inflammatory bowel diseases (22%). Conditions like ulcerative colitis feature prominently (15%), underscoring the field's focus on clinical and preclinical models of gut inflammation. Collectively, these topics suggest the field is maturing past general microbiome associations to focus on targeted delivery and specific therapeutic outcomes.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The most striking shift between the cohorts is the massive rise in specific targeted applications and bacterial strains. Limosilactobacillus reuteri jumped from negligible presence to 15% of top papers, showing a shift towards analyzing specific impactful strains rather than broad microbial communities. Inflammatory bowel disease models and ulcerative colitis also saw tremendous growth, increasing by nearly 4-fold and 7-fold respectively. Meanwhile, microencapsulation nearly doubled in frequency. This pattern mirrors the field's overall trajectory: transitioning from studying general metabolic effects to focusing on advanced encapsulation materials required to deliver specific probiotic strains effectively for complex diseases.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Probiotics and Fermented Foods Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/probiotics-and-fermented-foods/2026. Accessed 2026-09-03.

Methodology
Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459