Bacillus subtilis: A Promising Bacterial Candidate for One Health Applications

Bacillus subtilis is widely recognized as a beneficial and safe microbe for both living species and the environment due to its broad spectrum of bioactive properties. Used for decades as a probiotic, B. subtilis produces diverse bioactive metabolites with antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. It forms resilient biofilms, sporulates under stress, promotes plant growth, enhances nutrient uptake, controls pathogens, and contributes to the bioremediation of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Its long-standing use in food fermentation supports its safety profile and recognition as a safe organism in various applications. Consequently, B. subtilis stands out as a promising candidate for achieving optimal “One Health” outcomes for humans, animals, plants, and their interconnected ecosystems. This chapter provides a biochemical classification of the metabolites and derivatives produced by B. subtilis, highlighting their properties and functions that offer health benefits to both living organisms and the environment.