Nutritional composition, food containing nutritional composition and application of nutritional composition

Abstract

The invention relates to a nutritional composition, a food containing the nutritional composition and application of the nutritional composition. The nutritional composition comprises medium-chain and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride and nervonic acid, and the medium-chain and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride and the nervonic acid have a synergistic effect in the aspects of improving skeletal development and / or preventing or treating bone diseases.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of food or drug technology, and in particular to a nutritional composition, a food containing the same, and an application of the nutritional composition. Background Art

[0002] Childhood is a critical period for bone development. Various factors can affect the nutritional status of children's bones. Early detection of abnormal bone development in children is necessary for timely intervention, adjustment, and correction of the development process of children's bones, providing a feasible opportunity for achieving the highest bone mass and peak bone mass in adulthood. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of adults. Its root cause is that unreasonable bone nutrition in childhood leads to delayed bone development. It can be said that it is a childhood disease that affects the lives of the elderly. At present, the method of diagnosing osteoporosis is basically based on the reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC). Osteoporosis is diagnosed by various bone density detection instruments and direct measurement of bone mineral content (Yang Jie et al., Journal of Baotou Medical College. 2013;29(01):112-114).

[0003] For children in the growth and development period, the intake of nutrients is closely related to bone development. The lack of nutrients in the body will affect their growth and development, intelligence level and immune function, and even lead to the occurrence of diseases. As a new type of structural lipid, medium and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) are characterized by the combination of medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids at the same time, and the fatty acid composition is closer to breast milk, which is conducive to fat digestion and absorption, improves the absorption of lipid nutrients, inhibits the accumulation of body fat, and quickly and stably supplies energy (Cheng X et al., Annu Rev Food SciTechnol. 2024; 15(1): 381-408). In addition, early studies have shown that MLCT has many health functions such as lowering blood lipids, inhibiting obesity, reducing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and reducing the risk of cancer (Lai Yundong et al., Chinese Journal of Oil Crops. 2024; 46(04): 719-727). However, the role of MLCT on bone development is still unclear.

[0004] On the other hand, nervonic acid (NA), chemically known as cis-15-tetradecanoic acid, is a ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acid that helps repair damaged nerve cells and tissues and promote brain development. It has important research significance in the prevention and treatment of brain diseases. The nervonic acid synthesized in the human body cannot fully meet the needs of human health, especially for special populations such as newborns, who need to take it from outside the body (Wang Jie et al., China Oils and Fats. 2024;49(03):41-46), but its effect on the bone development of infants and children and the bone density of adults is still unclear.

[0005] Therefore, there is still a need in the art for methods that can improve bone development, and / or prevent or treat bone diseases. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the art.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a nutritional composition comprising medium- and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides and nervonic acid.

[0008] The second aspect of the present invention provides a food comprising the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0009] The third aspect of the present invention provides use of the composition described in the first aspect of the present invention in the preparation of a product for improving bone development and / or preventing or treating bone diseases.

[0010] The present invention finds that when medium-chain triglycerides (MLCT) and neuraminic acid (NA) are used in combination, there is a synergistic effect between the two, which can synergistically improve bone development and / or prevent or treat bone diseases, especially can synergistically prevent bone density loss and / or increase bone mineral content. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 A typical graph showing fluorescence intensity in a zebrafish skull after sample processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Preferred materials and methods are described herein, but any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice of the present invention's tests. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting.

[0013] Definition of terms

[0014] Unless otherwise indicated or defined, all terms used have the usual meaning in the art, which will be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, unless otherwise specified, all methods, steps, techniques and operations not specifically described in detail can and have been performed in a manner known per se, which will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0015] As used herein, the term "medium-chain triglyceride" or "MLCT" is a special triglyceride in which medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids coexist on the triglyceride backbone. MLCT is made from edible vegetable oil and medium-chain triglycerides (derived from edible coconut oil and palm kernel oil) by transesterification reaction with lipase, and then by distillation separation, decolorization, deodorization and other processes. Medium-chain triglycerides can be derived from medium-chain edible fatty acid edible oil.

[0016] As used herein, the term "medium-chain fatty acid" refers to a fatty acid having 6-12 carbon atoms in the carbon chain, such as caproic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, etc.; the term "long-chain fatty acid" refers to a fatty acid having more than 14 carbon atoms, generally 14-30 carbon atoms, in the carbon chain, such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, etc. The terms "medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride" and "long-chain fatty acid triglyceride" refer to the esterification reaction products of "medium-chain fatty acid" and "long-chain fatty acid" with glycerol, respectively; the term "medium-long chain fatty acid triglyceride" refers to triglycerides containing both medium-chain fatty acid residues and long-chain fatty acid residues in the molecular structure. The present invention has no special requirements for the medium-long chain fatty acid triglyceride used, and the medium-long chain fatty acid triglyceride commonly used in the art can be used. The medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides can be used in pure form or in an impure form rich in medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides. For example, the medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides used in the present invention can contain C6-C 12 Fatty acid residues and C 14 -C 30 Fatty acid residue. C6-C 12 The fatty acid residue may be derived from one or more of the following: hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, etc. 14 -C 30 The fatty acid residue may be derived from one or more of the following: myristic acid, palmitic acid, heptadecanoic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, heneicosanoic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, tricosanoic acid, tetracosenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, hexacosahexenoic acid, arachidonic acid, etc. In some embodiments, the C6-C 12The fatty acid residue is derived from one or more of the following: caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid; and / or the C 14 -C 30 The fatty acid residue is derived from one or more of the following: myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. 12 The fatty acid residues on the C 14 -C 30 The weight ratio of fatty acid residues is 0.124 to 2.000. In some embodiments, C6-C 12 The fatty acid residues on the C 14 -C 30 The weight ratio of fatty acid residues can be 0.124, 0.125, 0.130, 0.140, 0.150, 0.160, 0.170, 0.180, 0.190, 0.200, 0.300, 0.400, 0.500, 0.600, 0.700, 0.800, 0.900, 1.000, 1.100, 1.200, 1.300, 1.400, 1.500, 1.600, 1.700, 1.800, 1.900, 2.000 or any two thereof. In some embodiments, the "medium and long chain fatty acid triglyceride" can be prepared with reference to the method of patent CN115369132A.

[0017] As used herein, the term "nervonic acid" or "NA" is Nervonic acid in English, and its chemical name is cis-15-tetradecenoic acid, which is a ω-9 type monounsaturated fatty acid. Nervonic acid is present in high levels in nerve tissue and brain, and is an important substance that constitutes biological membranes and a marker of medulla in cerebrosides. It is also an "advanced nutrient" necessary for the growth, redevelopment and maintenance of nerve cells (especially brain cells, optic nerve cells, and peripheral nerves).

[0018] As used herein, "bone density" refers to the amount of bone contained per unit volume (volumetric density) or per unit area (areal density). Osteoblasts are the main functional cells for bone formation and play a vital role in the maintenance and increase of bone density.

[0019] As used herein, "bone mineral content" also known as "bone mineral content" generally refers to the mineral content in bones, and bone minerals mainly include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc. Maintaining a normal bone mineral content can ensure bone strength and avoid osteoporosis.

[0020] As used herein, "osteoporosis" is a systemic bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and destruction of bone microstructure, which leads to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Decreased osteoblast activity leads to decreased bone formation, while relatively enhanced osteoclast activity leads to increased bone resorption, ultimately causing decreased bone mass and osteoporosis.

[0021] As used herein, "osteomalacia" is rickets in adults. The main manifestations are softening of the bones, hyperplasia of osteoid tissue, and bone deformation. The cause is mostly vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus deficiency.

[0022] As used in this article, "rickets", also known as "rickets", is a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency that causes calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders in the body, resulting in poor bone calcification.

[0023] As used herein, "osteopenia" generally refers to a decrease in bone mass, which may lead to osteoporosis.

[0024] Nutritional composition

[0025] A first aspect of the present invention provides a nutritional composition, comprising medium-chain triglycerides (MLCT) and nervonic acid (NA).

[0026] The present invention finds that when medium-chain triglycerides (MLCT) and neuraminic acid (NA) are used in combination, there is a synergistic effect between the two, which can synergistically improve bone development and / or prevent or treat bone diseases, especially can synergistically prevent bone density loss and / or increase bone mineral content.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mass ratio of the medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides to nervonic acid in the nutritional composition is 8:1 to 520:1, for example, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 20:1, 25:1, 30:1, 35:1, 40:1, 45:1, 50:1, 55:1, 60:1, 65:1, 70:1, 75:1, 80:1, 90:1, 100:1, 110:1, 120:1, 130:1, 140:1, 150:1, 160:1, 170:1, 180:1, 190 :1, 200:1, 210:1, 220:1, 230:1, 240:1, 250:1, 260:1, 270:1, 280:1, 290:1, 300:1, 310:1, 320:1, 330:1, 340:1, 350:1, 360:1, 370:1, 380:1, 390:1, 400:1, 410:1, 420:1, 430:1, 440:1, 450:1, 460:1, 470:1, 480:1, 490:1, 500:1, 510:1, 520:1 or the range defined by any two of them. Within the range, the composition has more significant effects in improving bone development, and / or preventing or treating bone diseases, especially preventing bone density reduction and / or increasing bone mineral content.

[0028] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition consists of medium- and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides and nervonic acid.

[0029] food

[0030] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a food product comprising the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0031] All the above descriptions about the first aspect of the present invention are applicable here and will not be repeated here.

[0032] In some embodiments, the food may be, for example, a functional food, a health food, or a health product.

[0033] In some embodiments, the food is a common food or a special food. As an example, the food can be selected from dairy products, candies, beverages, bread and biscuits, for example, the food can be selected from milk powder or fermented food. In some embodiments, the milk powder is infant formula milk powder.

[0034] In some embodiments, the food is an infant food such as an infant formula.

[0035] In some embodiments, the food product may be in the form of a powder, a tablet, or a liquid.

[0036] In some embodiments, based on the dry weight of the food, the content of nervonic acid can be 0.002% to 0.3%. As an example, based on the weight of the food, the content of nervonic acid can be 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30 dry weight%, or within the range defined by any two of them. The content of medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides can be calculated according to the ratio of the two.

[0037] In some embodiments, based on the dry basis weight of the food, the content of medium and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides can be 0.016% to 30.0%. As an example, based on the weight of the food, the content of medium and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides can be 0.016, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0, 20.0, 21.0, 22.0, 23.0, 24.0, 25.0, 26.0, 27.0, 28.0, 29.0, 30.0 dry basis weight%, or any two of them in the range defined.

[0038] In addition, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, in addition to the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention, the food also includes one or more selected from the following: raw milk, desalted whey powder, concentrated whey protein, lactose, edible vegetable blending oil, oligofructose, oligogalactose, nucleotides, choline, vitamins, minerals, DHA and taurine.

[0039] For example, when the food is milk powder, in addition to the nutritional composition described in the first aspect of the present invention, the milk powder may also include proteins such as α-lactalbumin and milk fat globule membrane protein; carbohydrates such as lactose; lipids; minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc.; vitamins; other additives such as whey powder, choline bitartrate, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, walnut oil, etc.

[0040] The food can be produced by a preparation method commonly used in the art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0041] application

[0042] The third aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention in the preparation of a product for improving bone development and / or preventing or treating bone diseases.

[0043] All the above descriptions about the first aspect of the present invention are applicable here and will not be repeated here.

[0044] In some embodiments, the product includes, but is not limited to, food or medicine.

[0045] For the food, the above description about the second aspect of the present invention is applicable here and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Regarding the drug, in some embodiments, its dosage form includes but is not limited to tablets, granular powders, capsules and liquids.

[0047] In some embodiments, the disease includes but is not limited to osteomalacia, rickets, osteopenia, and osteoporosis.

[0048] In some embodiments, the improving bone development includes but is not limited to preventing bone density loss and increasing bone mineral content.

[0049] In some embodiments, when the composition or product is orally taken by humans, the dosage of nervonic acid is 2-300 mg / day (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300 mg / day, or a range defined by any two of them). The dosage of the medium- and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides can be converted according to the ratio with nervonic acid.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the composition or product is orally administered to humans, the dosage of medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides is 0.016-30.0 g / day, for example, 0.016 g / day, 0.02 g / day, 0.05 g / day, 0.1 g / day, 0.2 g / day, 0.3 g / day, 0.4 g / day, 0.5 g / day, 0.6 g / day, 0.7 g / day, 0.8 g / day, 0.9 g / day, 1 g / day, 2 g / day, 3 g / day, 4 g / day, 5 g / day, 6 g / day, 7 g / day, 8 g / day, 9 g / day, 10 g / day, 11 g / day, 12 g / day, 13 g / day, 14 g / day, 15 g / day, 16 g / day, 17 g / day, 18 g / day, 19 g / day, 20 g / day, 21 g / day, 22 g / day, 23 g / day, 24 g / day, 25 g / day, 26 g / day, 27 g / day, 28 g / day, 29 g / day, or 30 g / day or any range therebetween.

[0051] Example

[0052] The present invention will be more easily understood with reference to the following examples, which are merely used to illustrate some aspects and embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0053] Unless otherwise stated, the reagents used in this example are all commercially available materials or conventional materials. In all the following examples, medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides are derived from medium-chain fatty acid edible oil (purity of 69±10%), produced by Qingdao Haizhiyuan Life Science Technology Co., Ltd., with a production batch number of Y1505-22120101; neuraminic acid has a purity of more than 90±5%, purchased from Fuheng Biotechnology, with a production batch number of FH20240120.

[0054] Example 1 Experimental evaluation of the efficacy of samples in promoting bone development

[0055] Wild-type AB zebrafish 3 days after fertilization (3 dpf) were randomly selected and placed in beakers. Each beaker (experimental group) was treated with 30 zebrafish. Medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides, NA and their combinations were treated with zebrafish at the concentrations described in Table 1 (concentrations are shown in Table 1), and the positive control Swisse "Calcium & Vitamin D" was 500 μg / mL. A normal control group was also set up, and the capacity of each beaker was 20 mL. The medium was changed once at 5 dpf. After 3 days of treatment at 28°C, samples were collected and stained with alizarin red. Ten zebrafish were randomly selected from each experimental group and photographed under a fluorescence microscope. NIS-ElementsD3.20 advanced image processing software was used to analyze and collect data. The fluorescence intensity of the zebrafish skull was analyzed, and the statistical analysis results of this indicator were used to evaluate the efficacy of the samples in promoting bone development. The statistical analysis results were expressed as mean ± SE. SPSS26.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.

[0056] According to the above method, medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides, NA alone and a combination of different dosage ratios were administered to zebrafish. The dosages and results are shown in Table 1.

[0057] Table 1 Results of the efficacy evaluation experiment on the efficacy of samples in improving bone development (skull fluorescence intensity)

[0058]

[0059] Note: * indicates P < 0.05 compared with the normal control group; ** indicates P < 0.01 compared with the normal control group; *** indicates P < 0.001 compared with the normal control group.

[0060] From Table 1, Figure 1The results showed that compared with the normal control group, the fluorescence intensity of the zebrafish skull was significantly enhanced in the groups treated with single MLCT (250 µg / mL, 500 µg / mL) and NA (0.977 µg / mL, 3.91 µg / mL, 15.6 µg / mL) (P < 0.05), indicating that the single sample has the effect of improving bone development and bone density; and compared with the normal control, the combination of MLCT and NA (formulations 1-9) can significantly improve bone development and bone density, specifically manifested by a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity of the skull (P < 0.05). In addition, in Table 1, in terms of formula composition and content, Formula 1 is equivalent to the combination of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 4. Formula 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 4 increase the skull fluorescence intensity by 290628 pixels, 38534 pixels and 109612 pixels respectively; the increment of skull fluorescence intensity in Formula 1 (290628 pixels) is greater than the sum of the increments of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 4 (148146 pixels), indicating that there is a synergistic effect between the components MLCT and NA in Formula 1. Similarly, there is a synergistic effect between the components MLCT and NA in Formulas 2-9, which have a synergistic effect in improving bone development and bone density.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nutritional composition comprising medium- and long-chain fatty acid triglycerides and nervonic acid.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of the medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides to nervonic acid is 8:1 to 520:

1.

3. Food comprising the nutritional composition according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The food according to claim 3, which is selected from one or more of dairy products, candies, beverages, bread and biscuits. The food according to claim 3, which is milk powder or fermented food. The food according to claim 3, which is infant food. The food according to claim 5 , wherein the milk powder is infant formula milk powder.

8. Use of the nutritional composition according to claim 1 or 2 in preparing food for improving bone development.

9. Use of the nutritional composition according to claim 1 or 2 in the preparation of a medicament for preventing and / or treating bone diseases.

10. The use according to claim 8, wherein the food is as defined in any one of claims 4 to 7.

11. The use according to claim 9, wherein the dosage form of the drug is one or more of tablets, granular powders, capsules and liquids.

12. The use according to claim 9, wherein the disease is one or more of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

13. The use according to claim 8, wherein the food for improving bone development is a food for preventing bone density loss and / or increasing bone mineral content.

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