Grain composition containing human milk oligosaccharide

Abstract

To provide a grain composition required for healthy growth and development of young individuals, the composition containing at least one human milk oligosaccharide and other components.SOLUTION: A grain composition to be instantly prepared by liquid addition includes, on the basis of the dry weight thereof, one or more of: 10 to 90 wt.% of a grain component; 1 to 40 wt.% of fiber; 4 to 30 wt.% of protein; 1 to 10 wt.% of fat; 2 to 15 wt.% of a dried fruit or vegetable; 1 to 10 wt.% of a micronutrient; and 0.5 to 10 wt.% of an additive. The composition further includes at most 15 wt.% of at least one human milk oligosaccharide or a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides on the basis of the dry weight thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grain composition. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grain composition that can be prepared extemporaneously by the addition of liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Good nutrition during the first few months of an infant's life is essential for their optimal development, growth and good health. After a child reaches 2 years of age, it is very difficult to reverse stunting that occurred earlier (Martorell et al., 1994). In this regard, studies have shown that this is the peak age for growth faltering, deficiencies of certain micronutrients, and common childhood diseases such as diarrhea.

[0003] The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated in its global public health recommendations that infants should be fed human breast milk for the first 6 months of their lives, which can protect them from infections and other diseases in addition to providing the nutrition they need for their healthy growth and development. After 6 months, to meet their evolving nutritional needs, infants should receive nutritionally appropriate and safe complementary foods while continuing to be breastfed for up to 2 years or beyond. Around 6 months of age, infants' energy and nutrient needs begin to exceed those provided by breast milk, and complementary foods are required to meet those needs. Infants at this age are also developmentally ready for other foods. If complementary foods are not introduced around 6 months of age, or if they are fed inappropriately, infant growth may be retarded.

[0004] Some complementary foods can be extemporaneously prepared by simply adding liquid, which can be water, milk and / or juice. These extemporaneously prepared foods include those that contain cereals. It is important that the extemporaneously prepared foods contain ingredients that are well tolerated and digested, while providing nutrition to the young individual, as this is the first time the young individual experiences the taste and texture of solid food.

[0005] Cereals are well known to be an excellent source of energy, and infants need to increase their energy intake to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, especially as breastfeeding is reduced or when breastfeeding is no longer available. Cereals also contain significant amounts of carbohydrates and protein, plus are a good source of vitamins and minerals. In this regard, cereals are also a good source for iron fortification. Infants and young children who consume infant cereals have a higher iron intake compared to non-consumers (Finn et al., 2017). Cereals provide non-digestible carbohydrates that are primarily responsible for the development of an "adult-like" microbiota by increasing the Bacteroides population. Clear changes in the infant gut microbiota have been observed when either wheat, sorghum, rice, or oats were added to the large intestine in vitro during weaning, and a higher proportion of complex carbohydrates in infant cereals has been shown to be associated with higher fermentation activity in the intestinal microbiota of infants aged 6 to 10 months in vivo (Klerks et al., Nutrients. 2019 Feb;11(2):473 Infant Cereals: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Opportunities for Whole Grains).

[0006] Human breast milk contains a significant amount of carbohydrates. The carbohydrates present in human breast milk include monosaccharides such as L-fucose and N-acetylneuraminic acid, the disaccharide lactose, and oligosaccharides up to 20 g / L, so-called "human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)". HMOs are the third most abundant component of human breast milk. It is estimated that there are more than 150 structurally distinct oligosaccharides in human milk. Selected HMOs are shown in Table 1. Each of about 10-13 of these HMOs is present in human milk at concentrations ranging from hundreds of milligrams to grams per liter (Thurl et al. (2017), Nutrition Reviews 75(11) 920-933). Among HMOs, neutral HMOs are known as well as acidic HMOs that contain at least one N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) moiety. The structural complexity and abundance of these oligosaccharides are unique to human milk and have not been found in the milk of other mammals, such as domesticated dairy animals.

[0007] The presence of these complex oligosaccharides in human milk has been known for a long time, and the physiological functions of these oligosaccharides have been the subject of pharmaceutical research for decades (Gura, T. (2014) Nature's first functional food. Science 345 (6198) 747-749). Specific functions have already been identified for some of the more abundant human milk oligosaccharides (Bode, L. (2012) Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology 22 (9), 1147-1162., Bode L, Jantscher-Krenn E (2012) Structure-function relationships of human milk oligosaccharides. Adv Nutr 3 (3) 383S-391S, Morrow AL, Ruiz-Palacios GM, Altaye M, Jiang X, Guerrero ML, Meinzen-Derr JK, Farkas T, Chaturvedi P, Pickering LK, Newburg DS (2004) Human milk oligosaccharides are associated with protection against diarrhea in breast-fed infants. J Pediatr 145 (3) 297-303).

[0008] Because HMOs are not digestible by humans, the physiological role of these sugars has been studied for decades. The prebiotic effect of HMOs was discovered more than 100 years ago. When consumed, HMOs can modulate the composition of the human gut microbiome by favoring the growth of beneficial bacteria.

[0009] [Table 1] TIFF2025000868000002.tif199161

[0010] Several other functional effects of HMOs have been revealed in the past few years, especially their effect on neonatal development. HMOs are known to act as decoys to reduce the risk of infection with bacterial and viral pathogens that attach to human cells by binding to their surface glycoproteins. Furthermore, various HMOs have anti-inflammatory effects and act as immunomodulators. Thus, it was proposed that HMOs reduce the risk of developing food allergies. The favorable effect of sialylated HMOs on the development of the neonatal central nervous system has also been strongly argued (reviewed in ''Prebiotics and Probiotics in Human Milk,Origins and functions of milk-borne oligosaccharides and bacteria'', Academic Press (2017) editors: McGuire M., McGuire M., and Bode L.).

[0011] In order to utilize the beneficial effects of HMOs, efforts have been made to add individual HMOs to nutritional compositions, especially infant formulas.However, it would be better to supplement nutritional compositions that combine different HMOs, because such compositions are more similar to the natural source of HMOs, i.e., human milk, and are likely to have a better effect on human health and development than compositions that contain only a single type of HMO.

[0012] In view of the beneficial effects that HMOs have, and in order to continue supplementation of young individuals with HMOs after about four months of age, it has been found that the food industry needs cereal compositions containing one or more human milk oligosaccharides, in particular dry cereal compositions containing one or more human milk oligosaccharides that can be prepared extemporaneously by the addition of liquid. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0013] [Non-Patent Document 1] Martorell et al.,1994

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Non-licensed literature 9

[0014] The present invention relates to grain-based compositions containing one or more human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and other components necessary for healthy growth and development of young individuals.

[0015] More particularly, the present invention relates to novel grain compositions containing one or more grains and one or more human milk oligosaccharides, as well as other ingredients, which can be prepared extemporaneously by the addition of liquid.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a grain-based composition for young individuals, said grain-based composition comprising at least 0.05% by weight, based on the dry weight of the grain-based composition, of one or more human milk oligosaccharides.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a grain-based composition containing at least five structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a grain-based composition containing at least seven structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides.

[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a grain composition containing at least seven structurally different human milk oligosaccharides and at least one monosaccharide selected from the group consisting of sialic acid and L-fucose. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In accordance with the present invention, a grain-based composition is provided that contains one or more human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and other ingredients necessary for healthy growth and development of young individuals, and that can be prepared extemporaneously by the addition of liquid.

[0021] As used herein, a "young individual" refers to an infant, toddler, or child. Unless the terms "infant," "toddler," or "child" are used separately, all three are assumed and included within the term "young individual." As used herein, the term "infant" refers to an individual between about 4 and 12 months of age. As used herein, the term "toddler" refers to an individual between about 1 and 3 years of age. As used herein, the term "child" refers to an individual between about 3 and 11 years of age.

[0022] It is well known in the prior art that cereal compositions for young individuals need to be adjusted according to the nutritional requirements of their age: the amount of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids must be adjusted to the needs of the young individual depending on their developmental stage and age.

[0023] In order to meet the nutritional needs of young individuals at different developmental stages and ages, the present invention provides a tunable cereal composition for extemporaneous preparation by addition of liquid. Such a cereal composition comprises the following ingredients: - 10 to 90% by weight of a grain component based on the dry weight of the grain composition; - 1 to 40% by weight of fiber, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 4 to 30% by weight of protein based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 1 to 10% by weight of fat, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 2 to 15% by weight of dried fruits or vegetables, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 1 to 10% by weight of micronutrients based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; 0.5 to 10% by weight of an additive, based on the dry weight of the grain composition; Contains one or more of the following:

[0024] The composition further comprises up to 15% by weight of at least one human milk oligosaccharide or mixture of human milk oligosaccharides, based on the dry weight of the grain-based composition.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention the grain composition further comprises at least 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05% by weight of one or more human milk oligosaccharides based on the dry weight of the grain composition.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention the grain composition comprises up to 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15% by weight of one or more human milk oligosaccharides based on the dry weight of the grain composition.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the grain composition may further comprise 10-50% by weight of a dairy component based on the dry weight of the grain composition, preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of whey powder, skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and yogurt powder.

[0028] The cereal composition of the present invention may be in a form selected from the group consisting of powder, granule, flake, pellet and a mixture of at least two of the above forms.Usually, the cereal composition prepared according to the present invention must be mixed with a liquid until a desired consistency is obtained before consumption by the young individual.The liquid used for the extemporaneous preparation of the cereal composition of the present invention is preferably selected from the group consisting of water, milk and juice.

[0029] The cereal ingredient of the present invention is preferably in a form selected from the group consisting of flour, broken grain, crushed grain, comminuted grain and a mixture of at least two of the above forms. The cereal ingredient is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of barley, oats, wheat, rice, rye, millet, sorghum and corn.

[0030] The fruits and vegetables contained in the cereal composition of the present invention are dried fruits and vegetables that can be in the form of powder or flakes.Such dried fruits are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of banana, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, peach, apricot, apple and pear.The dried vegetables of the cereal composition of the present invention are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of potato, tomato and leafy green vegetables.

[0031] The cereal composition according to the invention contains micronutrients that are useful for reducing the rate of anemia in young individuals. The micronutrients according to the invention are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of iron, zinc, selenium, calcium and vitamins.

[0032] The additives contained in the grain composition of the present invention are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin, colouring agents and sweeteners.

[0033] The cereal composition of the present invention further contains oligosaccharides, specifically human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).Human milk oligosaccharides have been shown to affect the development of gut microbiome and therefore have a positive effect on infant health.Research has also shown that they protect newborns from viral and bacterial infections, reduce the risk of allergies and inflammation, and promote brain development and neurological activity.Taking into account all these positive effects in young individuals and the need for a cereal composition containing cereal ingredients for immediate preparation, one or more HMOs are included in the cereal composition of the present invention.

[0034] At least one or more HMOs of the cereal composition of the invention may be produced by microbial fermentation, where a genetically engineered microorganism capable of synthesizing HMOs is cultivated in a culture medium (fermentation broth) under conditions allowing the synthesis of said HMOs by said genetically engineered microorganism. The at least one human milk oligosaccharide is preferably selected from the group consisting of acetyl-N-lactosamine, sialylated oligosaccharides and fucosylated oligosaccharides.

[0035] The at least one acetyl-N-lactosamine is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNPFI).

[0036] The at least one sialylated oligosaccharide is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL), sialyllactose-N-tetraose a (LST-a), sialyllactose-N-tetraose b (LST-b), sialyllactose-N-tetraose c (LST-c) and disialyllactose-N-tetraose (DSLNT).

[0037] The at least one or more fucosylated oligosaccharides are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL).

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least five structurally different human milk oligosaccharides. Such five structurally different human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL). In an exemplary composition of said mixture, the five structurally different HMOs are present in the mixture in the amounts shown in Table 2. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 2 represent average amounts, and the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 2 for each component.

[0039] [Table 2]

[0040] In further and / or alternative embodiments of the invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least seven structurally different human milk oligosaccharides. Such seven structurally different human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL). In an exemplary composition of said mixture, the seven structurally different HMOs are present in the mixture in the amounts shown in Table 3. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 3 represent average amounts and that the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 3 for each component.

[0041] [Table 3]

[0042] In further and / or alternative embodiments of the invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least seven structurally different human milk oligosaccharides and at least one monosaccharide selected from the group consisting of sialic acid and L-fucose. Such seven structurally different human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL). In an exemplary composition of said mixture, the seven structurally different HMOs and two monosaccharides are present in the mixture in the amounts shown in Table 4. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 4 represent average amounts, and that the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 4 for each component.

[0043] [Table 4]

[0044] In further and / or alternative embodiments of the invention, the composition of the mixture containing five structurally different HMOs according to the second column of Table 5 is particularly advantageous for supplementing the grain composition of the invention, such that the final grain composition prepared extemporaneously by addition of liquid for direct consumption may contain the compounds of the mixture in the concentrations shown in the third column of Table 5. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 5 represent average amounts, and that the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 5 for each component.

[0045] [Table 5]

[0046] In further and / or alternative embodiments of the invention, the composition of the mixture containing seven structurally different HMOs according to the second column of Table 6 is particularly advantageous for supplementing the grain composition of the invention, such that the final grain composition prepared extemporaneously by addition of liquid for direct consumption may contain the compounds of the mixture in the concentrations shown in the third column of Table 6. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 6 represent average amounts, and that the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 6 for each component.

[0047] [Table 6]

[0048] In further and / or alternative embodiments of the invention, the composition of the mixture containing seven structurally different HMOs and two monosaccharides according to the second column of Table 7 is particularly advantageous for supplementing the grain composition of the invention, such that the final grain composition prepared extemporaneously by addition of liquid for direct consumption may contain the compounds of the mixture in the concentrations shown in the third column of Table 7. It is understood that the amounts of each component of the mixture shown in Table 7 represent average amounts, and that the amount of each given component of the mixture may vary within a range of about ±10%, preferably about ±5%, relative to the amount shown in Table 7 for each component.

[0049] [Table 7]

[0050] The present invention will be described with respect to certain embodiments and with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto, but only by the scope of the claims. Moreover, terms such as first, second, etc. in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily describe an order in time, space, ranking, or in any other way. It will be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in other orders than those described or illustrated herein.

[0051] It should be noted that the term "comprising" used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the means listed thereafter, but rather as excluding other elements or steps, and should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as mentioned, but without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof.

[0052] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure.

[0053] Similarly, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that various features of the present invention may be grouped together in a single embodiment or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and facilitating understanding of one or more of the various aspects of the present invention. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, aspects of the present invention may require fewer than all features of any preceding disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Moreover, although some embodiments described herein include some features but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and form different embodiments as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0055] In the description and examples provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order to facilitate understanding of the description.

[0056] The present invention will now be described by detailed descriptions of some embodiments of the present invention. It is apparent that other embodiments of the present invention can be constructed according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical advantages of the present invention, and the present invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0057] The following examples are illustrative only of embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting.

[0058] [Example 1] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the following grain composition was prepared:

[0059] 100 gr of cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes for extemporaneous preparation, containing rice flour in an amount of 18.34 wt.-%, millet flour 12.34 wt.-%, corn flour 17.6 wt.-%, skimmed milk powder 9.20 wt.-%, whole milk powder 7.35 wt.-%, maltodextrin 9.96 wt.-%, vitamins 1.21 wt.-%, iron and zinc mixture 1.51 wt.-%, fat 4.12 wt.-%, banana powder 8.35 wt.-%, banana flavoring 0.82 wt.-%, and 9.2 wt.-% mixture of HMOs (mixture of HMOs comprising 5 structurally different HMOs according to table 5), based on the dry weight of the cereal composition.

[0060] [Example 2] According to another embodiment of the invention, the following grain composition was prepared:

[0061] 100 gr of cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes for extemporaneous preparation, containing rice flour in an amount of 14.62% by weight, corn flour 17.62% by weight, skimmed milk powder 10.47% by weight, yogurt powder 7.38% by weight, whey powder 20.60% by weight, maltodextrin 10% by weight, vitamins 1.21% by weight, iron and zinc mixture 1.51% by weight, fat 5.15% by weight, blackcurrant powder 1.54% by weight, blueberry powder 1.24% by weight, raspyri powder 1.55% by weight, yogurt flavoring 0.06% by weight, apple flakes 1.03% by weight and a mixture of HMOs of 6.02% by weight (a mixture of 7 structurally different HMOs and HMOs containing 2 monosaccharides according to table 7), based on the dry weight of the cereal composition.

[0062] [Example 3] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the following grain composition was prepared:

[0063] 100 gr of cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes for extemporaneous preparation, containing rice flour in an amount of 16.82 wt.-%, millet flour 10.82 wt.-%, maize flour 18.34 wt.-%, whole milk powder 1.89 wt.-%, maltodextrin 21.18 wt.-%, vitamins 1.21 wt.-%, iron and zinc mixture 1.51 wt.-%, fat 7.12 wt.-%, basil flavoring 0.41 wt.-%, pepper flakes 2.16 wt.-%, tomato powder 4.11 wt.-%, potato flakes 5.15 wt.-%, and a mixture of HMOs of 9.28 wt.-%, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition (a mixture of HMOs comprising 7 structurally different HMOs according to table 6).

Claims

1. 1. A grain composition for extemporaneous preparation by addition of liquid, said grain composition comprising: - 10 to 90% by weight of cereal components based on the dry weight of the cereal composition, - 1 to 40% by weight of fiber, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 4 to 30% by weight of protein, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 1 to 10% by weight of fat, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 2-15% by weight of dried fruits or vegetables, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 1-10% by weight of micronutrients, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; - 0.5 to 10% by weight of an additive, based on the dry weight of the cereal composition; and A grain-based composition, wherein the composition further comprises up to 15% by weight of at least one human milk oligosaccharide or mixture of human milk oligosaccharides, based on the dry weight of the grain-based composition.

2. 10. The grain composition of claim 1, wherein said grain composition further comprises 10-50% by weight of a dairy component based on the dry weight of said grain composition.

3. 3. The grain composition of claim 2, wherein the dairy ingredient is selected from one or more of the group consisting of whey powder, skim milk powder, whole milk powder and yogurt powder.

4. The grain composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grain composition is present in a form selected from the group consisting of powder, granules, flakes, pellets and a mixture of at least two of said forms.

5. The grain composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, milk and juice.

6. 6. The grain composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the grain components are present in a form selected from the group consisting of flour, cracked grain, ground grain, comminuted grain and a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned forms.

7. A grain composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grain component is selected from one or more of the group consisting of barley, oats, wheat, rice, rye, millet, sorghum and maize.

8. A grain composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the dried fruits and vegetables are present in the form of a powder or flakes.

9. A grain-based composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried fruits are selected from one or more of the group consisting of bananas, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, peaches, apricots, apples and pears.

10. A grain composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dehydrated vegetables are selected from one or more of the group consisting of potato, tomato and leafy green vegetables.

11. A grain composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said micronutrients are selected from one or more of the group consisting of iron, zinc, selenium, calcium and vitamins.

12. 12. The grain composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is selected from one or more of the group consisting of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin, colouring agents and sweeteners.

13. 13. The grain composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said at least one human milk oligosaccharide is selected from the group consisting of acetyl-N-lactosamine, sialylated oligosaccharides and fucosylated oligosaccharides.

14. 14. The grain composition of claim 13, wherein the acetyl-N-lactosamine is selected from one or more of the group consisting of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNPFI).

15. 14. The grain composition of claim 13, wherein the sialylated oligosaccharides are selected from one or more of the group consisting of 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL), sialyllacto-N-tetraose a (LST-a), sialyllacto-N-tetraose b (LST-b), sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LST-c) and disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT).

16. 14. The grain composition of claim 13, wherein the fucosylated oligosaccharides are selected from one or more of the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL).

17. 17. The cereal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the mixture of human milk oligosaccharides contains at least five structurally different HMOs, preferably selected from the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL).

18. 18. The cereal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the mixture of human milk oligosaccharides contains at least seven structurally different HMOs, preferably selected from the group consisting of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL).

19. The cereal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the cereal composition further contains at least one monosaccharide, preferably selected from the group consisting of L-fucose and sialic acid.

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