Nutritional composition and its uses

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nutritional composition and its use. The nutritional composition includes medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides and milk fat globule membrane, wherein the weight ratio of the medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides to the milk fat globule membrane is from 0.1:1 to 50:1. The nutritional composition of the present invention can significantly improve sleep.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of food and medicine, and particularly to a nutritional composition comprising medium- and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a food and a medicine comprising the nutritional composition, the use of the nutritional composition or the food for non-therapeutic purposes of improving sleep, and the use of the nutritional composition in the preparation of a medicine for improving sleep. Background Art

[0002] Good sleep can help people relieve physical strength, improve immune function, and build cognitive ability, which is an essential physiological need for people to survive. Especially for infants and young children who are in a critical stage of growth and development, good sleep is crucial for promoting their physical growth, nervous system development, and intellectual development. If there are serious problems with the sleep quality of infants and young children, such as wakefulness or disrupted sleep-wake rhythms, it will not only affect their physical growth and intellectual development, but also have a certain impact on their emotions and behaviors. The sleep-wake pattern and sleep quality of infants to a certain extent affect the sleep quality and emotions of mothers (Chen Jinshi. Research on the influence of early sleep intervention strategies on the physical growth and sleep-wake pattern of infants [J]. Journal of Aerospace Medicine, 2023, 34(04): 409-411).

[0003] In view of the above problems, it is of great significance to develop an effective way to improve sleep. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is made in view of the above problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a nutritional composition comprising: medium- and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT); and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM, also commonly known as MFGM milk phospholipid), wherein the weight ratio of MLCT to MFGM is from 0.1:1 to 50:1.

[0006] The inventors unexpectedly found in the research that when MLCT and MFGM are used in combination at a specific weight ratio, they show a synergistic effect in improving sleep, especially in terms of the amount of wakefulness activity and the total wakefulness time. The effect of their combined use is better than that of the same total amount of MLCT alone and also better than that of the same total amount of MFGM alone.

[0007] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a food comprising the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0008] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical product comprising the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention or the food according to the second aspect of the present invention for non-therapeutic purposes of improving sleep.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention in the preparation of a pharmaceutical product for improving sleep. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, the drawings required for describing the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that these drawings are only for facilitating those skilled in the art to more easily understand the present invention, rather than intending to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 Presented are the statistical analysis results of the arousal activity (A and C) and total arousal time (B and D) of zebrafish in the normal control group, model control group, positive control group using L-Tryptophan, and experimental control groups using MLCT or MFGM alone. Compared with the model control group: *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, *** indicates p < 0.001.

[0013] Figure 2 Presented are the statistical analysis results of the total arousal time (A) and total arousal activity (B) of zebrafish in the normal control group, model control group, positive control group using L-Tryptophan, experimental control groups using MLCT or MFGM alone, and experimental group using MLCT and MFGM in combination. Compared with the model control group: *** indicates p < 0.001. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In order to make the invention objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial technical effects of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the various aspects, features, embodiments, and their advantages described in the present application can be compatible and / or combined together.

[0015] Unless otherwise specified, the meanings of technical terms or scientific and technical terms in this specification are the same as those generally understood by those skilled in the art.

[0016] In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the temperature is room temperature (25°C), the atmosphere is air, and the pressure is atmospheric pressure.

[0017] In the present application, the term "medium-chain fatty acid" refers to fatty acids having 6-12 carbon atoms in the carbon chain, such as caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, etc.; the term "long-chain fatty acid" refers to fatty acids 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" respectively refer to the esterification reaction products of "medium-chain fatty acid" and "long-chain fatty acid" with glycerol; the term "medium and 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.

[0018] In the present application, "special food" refers to special types of food for specific populations, such as "the elderly, children, and patients", including three categories: health food, infant formula food, and formula food for special medical purposes.

[0019] The present invention relates to a nutritional composition comprising MLCT and MFGM, foods and drugs comprising the nutritional composition, the use of the nutritional composition or the food for non-therapeutic purposes of improving sleep, and the use of the nutritional composition in the preparation of a drug for improving sleep. The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0020] Nutritional composition

[0021] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a nutritional composition comprising: medium and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MLCT); and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), wherein the weight ratio of MLCT to MFGM is from 0.1:1 to 50:1.

[0022] Among the components comprised in the nutritional composition of the present invention, medium and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MLCT) is a structural lipid in which a triglyceride molecule contains both medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids, and it has different physical and chemical properties, metabolic characteristics, and nutritional values from long-chain fatty acid triglyceride (LCT) or medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT). Research (see, for example, Yuan Tinglan, Composition and Metabolic Characteristics of Medium and Long-Chain Triglycerides in Breast Milk Fat [D], Jiangnan University, 2021) shows that medium and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MLCT) is not simply equivalent to a physical mixture of long-chain fatty acid triglyceride (LCT) and medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) (nor, of course, equivalent to a simple mixture of long-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids), and the latter does not possess the physical and chemical properties, metabolic characteristics, and nutritional values possessed by the former.

[0023] Among the components included in the nutritional composition of the present invention, the term "medium and long-chain fatty acid triglyceride" or "MLCT" is a special triglyceride in which both medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids are present on the triglyceride backbone. According to the relevant regulations of the "Measures for the Administration of New Resource Foods", MLCT is made from edible vegetable oil and medium-chain triglyceride as raw materials through an ester exchange reaction by lipase, and through processes such as distillation separation, decolorization, and deodorization.

[0024] Among the components included in the nutritional composition of the present invention, "milk fat globule membrane" or "MFGM", the English is Milk Fat Globule Membrane, which is a complex biological membrane structure present in breast milk. MFGM is a complex three-layer phospholipoprotein membrane that wraps the surface of milk fat droplets and is composed of polar lipids, cholesterol, proteins, etc. For the source of MFGM of the present invention, there is no particular limitation in principle, and it can generally be obtained by extraction from animal milk or its products. In some preferred embodiments, such animal milk or its products can be cow milk, goat milk, camel milk, horse milk, or dairy products based on them (such as cheese), etc. More preferably, it can be extracted from cow milk, including colostrum or normal cow milk.

[0025] For the method of extracting MFGM from the above-mentioned animal milk or its products, the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it can be carried out by using the method of acidification precipitation - centrifugation - isoelectric point enrichment - drying, or it can also be separated by using the existing membrane filtration method to obtain MFGM.

[0026] In addition, for MFGM, it can also be obtained through commercially available products, including MFGM whey protein powder and MFGM milk protein powder, etc. MFGM whey protein powder refers to a powdery product containing MFGM made from raw milk or whey through processes such as separation, concentration, and drying. MFGM milk protein powder refers to a powdery product containing MFGM made from raw milk or cream through processes such as separation, concentration, and drying.

[0027] Commercially available sources of MFGM of the present invention include Lacprodan MFGM-10, Lacprodan PL-20, Cor-Power SM2, lipid-rich MFGM fraction or buttermilk powder concentrate BPC50, BPC60, G600, PC700, Hilmar Cor-Power WPC7500MEGM ENRICHED WPC, etc.

[0028] The inventors unexpectedly found in their research that when MLCT and MFGM are used in combination at a specific weight ratio, they exhibit a synergistic effect in improving sleep, particularly in terms of the amount of waking activity and total waking time. The effect of their combined use is superior to that of the same total amount of MLCT alone and also superior to that of the same total amount of MFGM alone.

[0029] The present invention has no special requirements for the MLCT used, and the MLCT commonly used in the art can be used. The MLCT can be used in the form of a pure product or in the form of a non-pure product rich in MLCT.

[0030] In some embodiments, the MLCT used in the present invention contains C 6 -C 12 (e.g., C 6 、C 7 、C 8 、C 9 、C 10 、C 11 、C 12 、or the range defined by any two of them) fatty acid residues and C 14 -C 30 (e.g., C 14 、C 15 、C 16 、C 17 、C 18 、C 19 、C 20 、C 21 、C 22 、C 23 、C 24 、C 25 、C 26 、C 27 、C 28 、C 29 、C 30 、or the range defined by any two of them) fatty acid residues, wherein: the C 6 -C 12 fatty acid residues are derived from one or more of the following: caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, etc., preferably caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid; and / or the C 14 -C 30 fatty acid residues are derived from one or more of the following: myristic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, heneicosanoic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, tricosanoic acid, tetracosenoic acid, pentacosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, etc., preferably myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid.

[0031] In some embodiments, the C in the MLCT 6 -C 12 fatty acid residue to the C 14 -C 30 fatty acid residue has a weight ratio of 0.124 to 2.000. As an example, the C 6 -C 12 fatty acid residue to the C 14 -C 30 fatty acid residue has a weight ratio that 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 within the range defined by any two of them.

[0032] MFGM can be derived from any MFGM-containing substance such as raw cow's milk and / or raw goat's milk and / or whole milk powder and / or demineralized whey powder and / or whey protein powder and / or concentrated whey protein powder (MFGM) and / or MFGM powder.

[0033] In an embodiment, in the nutritional composition of the present invention, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is 0.1:1 to 50:1. When the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is within the above range, MFGM and MLCT exhibit a synergistic effect in improving sleep. As an example, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM can be 0.1:1, 0.2:1, 0.3:1, 0.4:1, 0.45:1, 0.48:1, 0.5:1, 0.6:1, 0.7:1, 0.8:1, 0.9:1, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 7.5:1, 7.74:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 12:1, 14:1, 16:1, 18:1, 20:1, 22:1, 24:1, 26:1, 28:1, 30:1, 32:1, 34:1, 36:1, 38:1, 40:1, 42:1, 44:1, 46:1, 48:1, 50:1 or within the range defined by any two of them.

[0034] Preferably, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is from 0.2:1 to 40:1; when the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is within this range, the synergistic effect of the MFGM and the MLCT in improving sleep, especially the amount of waking activity and the total waking time, is more obvious.

[0035] More preferably, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is from 0.4:1 to 24:1; when the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is within this range, the synergistic effect of the MFGM and the MLCT in improving sleep, especially the amount of waking activity and the total waking time, is more obvious.

[0036] Even more preferably, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is from 0.4:1 to 8:1; when the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is within this range, the synergistic effect of the MFGM and the MLCT in improving sleep, especially the amount of waking activity and the total waking time, is more obvious.

[0037] Even still more preferably, the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is from 1:1 to 5:1; when the weight ratio of the MLCT to the MFGM is within this range, the synergistic effect of the MFGM and the MLCT in improving sleep, especially the amount of waking activity and the total waking time, is more obvious.

[0038] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition of the present invention may consist of medium and long chain fatty acid esters and MFGM.

[0039] Food

[0040] The second aspect of the present invention provides a food comprising the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0041] In some embodiments, the food may be, for example, a functional food, a health food, or a health supplement.

[0042] In some embodiments, the food is an infant food such as an infant formula.

[0043] In some embodiments, the food is a general food or a special food. By way of example, the food may be selected from dairy products, candies, beverages, breads, and biscuits, for example, the food may be selected from milk powder or fermented foods. In some embodiments, the milk powder is an infant formula milk powder.

[0044] In some embodiments, based on the dry basis weight of the food (after deducting moisture), the content of MLCT can be from 0.1% to 30.0%. As an example, based on the weight of the food, the content of MLCT can be 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, 16.0, 16.5, 17.0, 17.5, 18.0, 18.5, 19.0, 19.5, 20.0, 20.5, 21.0, 21.5, 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5, 25.0, 25.5, 26.0, 26.5, 27.0, 27.5, 28.0, 28.5, 29.0, 29.5, 30.0 dry basis weight %, or within the range defined by any two of them. And in a further embodiment, the content of the MFGM is converted proportionally.

[0045] In some embodiments, based on the dry basis weight of the food (after deducting moisture), the content of MFGM can be from 0.1 to 30.0%. As an example, based on the weight of the food, the content of MFGM can be 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, 16.0, 16.5, 17.0, 17.5, 18.0, 18.5, 19.0, 19.5, 20.0, 20.5, 21.0, 21.5, 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5, 25.0, 25.5, 26.0, 26.5, 27.0, 27.5, 28.0, 28.5, 29.0, 29.5, 30.0 dry basis weight %, or within the range defined by any two of them.

[0046] Here, the weight percentage based on the food may be calculated based on the total weight of the food or based on the dry weight of the food.

[0047] In addition, it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that in addition to the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention, the food further comprises one or more selected from the following: raw cow milk, demineralized whey powder, concentrated whey protein, lactose, edible vegetable blend oil, fructooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, nucleotide, choline, vitamin, mineral, DHA, and taurine.

[0048] 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 further comprise proteins such as α-lactalbumin, MFGM; saccharides such as lactose; lipids; minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc.; vitamins; and other additives such as whey powder, choline bitartrate, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, walnut oil, etc.

[0049] The food may be in the form of powder, tablet or liquid.

[0050] The food in the art can be produced by the preparation methods commonly used in the art, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0051] All of the above descriptions regarding the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention are applicable here.

[0052] Drug

[0053] The third aspect of the present invention provides a drug, which comprises the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0054] The present invention has no particular requirement for the dosage form of the drug, and the commonly used drug dosage forms in the art can be adopted. As an example, the drug of the present invention may be a solid preparation, such as powder, granule, tablet, capsule, dropping pill, pill, etc.; semi-solid preparation, such as ointment, cream, eye ointment, gel, etc.; liquid preparation, such as oral liquid preparation, such as syrup, mixture, suspension, emulsion, etc.

[0055] It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that according to the differences in drug dosage form and application scenario, etc., the drug may further comprise various pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In addition, the drug of the present invention can be prepared by the methods commonly adopted in the art, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0056] All of the above descriptions regarding the nutritional composition of the first aspect of the present invention are applicable here.

[0057] Use

[0058] The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention or the food (such as health food) according to the second aspect of the present invention for non-therapeutic purposes of improving sleep.

[0059] The non-therapeutic purpose (non-medical treatment purpose such as nutritional and / or health care purpose) for improving sleep is, for example, for preparing a food for improving sleep (such as a functional food, a health food, or a health care product).

[0060] In some embodiments, the improvement of sleep may include, for example, improving the sleep quality of adults, adolescents, children or infants, especially infants.

[0061] In some embodiments, the improvement of sleep includes improving (such as reducing) the amount of waking activity and the total waking time.

[0062] As described above, when MLCT and MFGM are used in combination at a specific weight ratio, they show a synergistic effect in improving sleep, especially in terms of the amount of waking activity and the total waking time. The effect of their combined use is better than that of the same total amount of MLCT alone and also better than that of the same total amount of MFGM alone.

[0063] In an embodiment, when the nutritional composition or food (such as a health food) is orally administered to a human body, the dosage is such that: the dosage of MLCT can be 0.1 to 30.0 g / day, preferably 0.4 - 30 g / day (such as 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, 16.0, 16.5, 17.0, 17.5, 18.0, 18.5, 19.0, 19.5, 20.0, 20.5, 21.0, 21.5, 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5, 25.0, 25.5, 26.0, 26.5, 27.0, 27.5, 28.0, 28.5, 29.0, 29.5, 30.0 g / day, or the range defined by any two of them), and in a further embodiment, the dosage of MFGM is converted according to the proportion.

[0064] In some embodiments, the dosage of the MFGM can be 0.1 to 30.0 g / day (for example, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 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 g / day, or the range defined by any two of them).

[0065] The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the nutritional composition according to the first aspect of the present invention in the preparation of a medicament for improving sleep.

[0066] The improvement of sleep may include improving (for example, reducing) the amount of waking activity and the total waking time.

[0067] All the descriptions of the nutritional composition in the first aspect of the present invention above are applicable here and will not be repeated here.

[0068] Examples

[0069] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0070] The sources and specifications of the raw materials used in the following examples are as follows: MLCT: medium and long chain fatty acid edible oil produced by Qingdao Haizhiyuan Life Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (production batch number: Y1505-22120101), wherein the purity of MLCT is 69 ± 10% by weight; milk fat globule membrane (MFGM): purchased from Arla, product name: Lacprodan® MFGM-10, batch number: P510216, the phospholipid content in this raw material is 8 ± 2% by weight, the protein content is 71.5 ± 5% by weight, and the sphingomyelin g / 100g phospholipid is 25 ± 10g; wild-type AB strain zebrafish: provided by the fish breeding center of Hangzhou Huante Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; L-Tryptophan (batch number 111521, Shanghai TargetMol Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China), purity 99.87%; Luzindole (batch number SLCM6972, Sigma, USA), purity ≥ 90%).

[0071] Animal experiments

[0072] Wild-type AB strain zebrafish at 5 days post-fertilization (5 dpf) were randomly selected and placed in well plates, with 30 zebrafish in each well, and 10 wells were repeated for each group. Each experiment was set up with a normal control group, a model control group, a positive control group, an experimental control group, and an experimental group. The sample was administered in water (concentrations are shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , and Table 1). The positive control group was at a concentration of 50.0 μg / mL of L-Tryptophan. At the same time, a normal control group and a model control group were set up, and the volume per well was 3 mL. After treatment at 28°C for 1 day, 10 zebrafish were randomly selected from each group and transferred to a 96-well plate, 1 fish / 200 μL / well. Except for the normal control group, the other experimental groups were all administered Luzindole (6.25 μg / mL) in water to establish a zebrafish insomnia model. The wakefulness activity and total wakefulness time of zebrafish within 1 h were measured using a behavior analyzer, and the sleep-improving efficacy of the sample was evaluated based on the statistical analysis results of the above indicators. The statistical processing results were expressed as mean ± standard error (SE, Standard Error) (n = 10). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and p < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.

[0073] 1. Using MLCT or MFGM alone

[0074] Figure 1 Presents the statistical analysis results of the wakefulness activity (A and C) and total wakefulness time (B and D) of zebrafish in the normal control group, the model control group, the positive control group using L-Tryptophan, and the experimental control group using MLCT or MFGM alone, where Figure 1 A shows the results of wakefulness activity when using different concentrations of MLCT alone, Figure 1 B shows the results of total wakefulness time when using different concentrations of MLCT alone, Figure 1 C shows the results of wakefulness activity when using different concentrations of MFGM alone, Figure 1 D shows the results of total wakefulness time when using different concentrations of MFGM alone.

[0075] As can be seen from Figure 1 , compared with the model control group, both MLCT or MFGM alone led to a significantly reduced total wakefulness time and wakefulness activity, indicating that both MLCT or MFGM alone have the efficacy of improving sleep.

[0076] For a single MLCT, in terms of the waking activity level, its concentration is the lowest at 250 µg / mL; in terms of the total waking time, the total waking time at a concentration of 250 µg / mL is significantly lower than that at a concentration of 172.5 µg / mL. When the concentration is greater than 250 µg / mL, that is, at concentrations of 345 µg / mL and 690 µg / mL, the decrease in the total waking time compared to the 250 µg / mL concentration is not significant (P>0.05). Therefore, 250 µg / mL is the optimal concentration of MLCT for improving sleep.

[0077] For a single MFGM, at a concentration of 250 µg / mL, both the total waking time and the total waking activity level are significantly lower compared to its concentration of 125 µg / mL. However, when its concentration continues to increase, that is, at concentrations of 500 µg / mL and 1000 µg / mL, the decrease in the total waking time and the total waking activity level compared to the 250 µg / mL concentration is not significant. Therefore, the optimal concentration of MFGM for improving sleep is also 250 µg / mL.

[0078] 2. Use a nutritional composition comprising MLCT or MFGM

[0079] As the optimal concentration obtained from the above experiments, nutritional compositions comprising different ratios of MLCT or MFGM at a concentration of 250 µg / mL were studied. The results are shown in Table 1 and are more intuitively shown in Figure 2 .

[0080] Table 1 Efficacy results of nutritional compositions for improving sleep (n = 10)

[0081]

[0082] Note: Compared with the model control group, *** represents p < 0.001.

[0083] Combined with Table 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that compared with the model control group, both the waking activity level and the waking time of Examples 1 to 9 are significantly reduced, indicating that the nutritional composition comprising MLCT and MFGM has the efficacy of improving sleep.

[0084] Furthermore, when the ratio of MLCT:MFGM is in the range of 0.2:1 (Example 2) to 40:1 (Example 8), the obtained waking activity level and waking time are both less than those of single MLCT at the same concentration and less than those of single MFGM at the same concentration, indicating that MLCT and MFGM exhibit a significant synergistic effect within the above concentration range.

[0085] Furthermore, when the ratio of MLCT:MFGM is within the range of 0.48:1 (Example 3) to 24:1 (Example 7), compared with other examples, the obtained arousal activity amount and arousal time are smaller, indicating a further enhanced synergistic effect.

[0086] Furthermore, when the ratio of MLCT:MFGM is within the range of 0.48:1 (Example 3) to 7.74:1 (Example 6), compared with other examples, the obtained arousal activity amount and arousal time are smaller, indicating a further enhanced synergistic effect.

[0087] Furthermore, when the ratio of MLCT:MFGM is within the range of 1:1 (Example 4) to 5:1 (Example 5), compared with other examples, the obtained arousal activity amount and arousal time are smaller, indicating a further enhanced synergistic effect.

[0088] The above-described are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, improvements can still be made to the present invention, but these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nutritional composition comprising: Medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides; and milk fat globule membrane, It is characterized in that the weight ratio of the medium and long chain fatty acid triglycerides to the milk fat globule membrane is 0.2:1 to 40:

1.

2. The nutritional composition according to claim 1, characterized in that The weight ratio of the medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride to the milk fat globule membrane is 0.4:1 to 24:

1.

3. The nutritional composition according to claim 1, characterized in that The weight ratio of the medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride to the milk fat globule membrane is 0.4:1 to 8:

1.

4. The nutritional composition according to claim 1, characterized in that The weight ratio of the medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride to the milk fat globule membrane is 1:1 to 5:

1.

5. Food, characterized in that It comprises the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1-4.

6. The food according to claim 5, characterized in that The food is infant food.

7. The food according to claim 5, characterized in that The food is selected from dairy products, candies, beverages, bread and biscuits.

8. The food according to claim 5, characterized in that The food is milk powder or fermented food.

9. The food according to claim 8, characterized in that The milk powder is infant formula milk powder.

10. The food according to claim 5, characterized in that The food is a health food.

11. The food according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that It further comprises one or more selected from the following: raw cow milk, desalted whey powder, concentrated whey protein, lactose, edible vegetable blending oil, oligofructose, oligogalactose, nucleotide, choline, vitamins, minerals, DHA and taurine.

12. A medicine, characterized in that It comprises the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1-4.

13. Use of the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the food according to any one of claims 5 to 11 for the non-therapeutic purpose of improving sleep.

14. The use according to claim 13, characterized in that The improving sleep refers to improving the sleep of infants and young children.

15. The use according to claim 13, characterized in that The improved sleep includes improving the amount of wakefulness activity and the total wakefulness time.

16. Use of the nutritional composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in the preparation of a medicine for improving sleep.

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