Mapping and Cataloguing Microbial and Biochemical Determinants of Health: Towards a ‘Database of Salutogenic Potential’

Abstract

Microbial and biochemical research has historically focused on pathogenic agents due to their clear association with disease. This is a perspective that has saved countless lives but encourages a skewed, threat-centered view of microbes and biogenic compounds. Emerging evidence shows that exposure to diverse environmental microbiomes and natural biochemical products is also salutogenic—promoting health and resilience. Here we introduce the ‘Database of Salutogenic Potential’, a prototype relational repository cataloguing environmental microbes and biochemical compounds linked to health benefits. Drawing from more than 200 articles, we identified 124 potentially salutogenic microbial taxa, 14 biochemical compounds and 63 associated benefits. By creating a structured and open platform, we aim to shift the balance between pathogen-centric and salutogenic perspectives, potentially enabling future applications in public health, urban planning and ecosystem restoration. While the current iteration of the database primarily centers on human health outcomes, it is designed to expand into ecosystem health domains, embedding salutogenic thinking into One Health frameworks. We present this as a first step, not a ready-to-use tool, and invite collaborative refinement from the scientific community.