Synthetic carbohydrate composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition, methods and uses of the synthetic carbohydrate composition.

Description

[0001] SYNTHETIC CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION

[0002]

[0001] The present invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition, method and use of the composition, and a composition for use in treatment, amelioration, prevention and / or prophylaxis.

[0003]

[0002] Carbohydrates are ubiquitous biomolecules performing numerous various functions, such as storage of chemical energy or as structural element. Also, in nutritional compositions such as animal feed, pet food or food products intended for human consumption, carbohydrates play crucial roles and can amount to a substantial share of the consumed product. Accordingly, preparations of glycans, sugars, carbohydrates, mono-, oligo- or polysaccharides are being used in a large number of applications in the food and / or feed industry. Depending on the specific carbohydrate composition and individual components contained therein, such preparations may serve e.g. as energy source, as thickening or gelling agent, as stabilizer, humectant, dietary fiber component, as sweetener, as prebiotic compound etc.

[0004]

[0003] For instance, starch is a polysaccharide consisting of glucose monomer units that are joined to one another by glycosidic bonds or linkages. Upon digestion, the glucose units are hydrolyzed from the polysaccharide and thus become available for further metabolization and as source of energy. Similarly, sucrose, a disaccharide consisting of a glucose monomer unit condensed to a fructose monomer unit, is present e.g. in plant roots or fruits, as well as in manmade nutritional compositions such as processed foods. In contrast to carbohydrates which can be digested by the consuming individual, other carbohydrates are not accessible to digestion. For example, cellulose, hemicellulose, beta-glucan, or inulin cannot be digested by human enzymes. Some of these carbohydrates are referred to as dietary fibers. Despite their unavailability as energy source, some carbohydrates indigestible by human enzymes are appreciated for promoting healthy bowel movement, or for their positive effects on microorganisms colonizing the digestive tract, collectively referred to as the gut microbiome or gut flora. Some of these carbohydrates are therefore classified as prebiotic compounds. Regardless of a classification as dietary fiber and / or prebiotic, there is an increasing demand for carbohydrate products that are indigestible by human enzymes and provide health benefits to their consumers.

[0005]

[0004] The gut microbiome is known to play numerous important roles. First, the microorganisms of a healthy gut flora occupy all ecological niches of the gut, thus preventing growth of pathogenic organisms. Also, gut microbes have been described to interact with their host's immune system resulting in a well-balanced behavior with respect to inflammation. Third, the gut microbiome is capable of producing secondary metabolites that can benefit the host organism such as vitamins or short-chain fatty acids. Those live microorganisms which confer health benefiting effects to the body, are referred to as probiotic microorganisms. Such probiotic microorganisms are considered to play a particularly important role in the microbiome with respect to health and wellbeing. The integrity and functionality of a healthy microbiome is considered to be upheld by the activities of several specific taxa of the microbiome, referred to as keystone species (e.g. Tudela et al. 2021. Front Cell Dev Biol. 9:719072). Their presence is considered vital for maintaining the microbial community that makes up a healthy gut microbiome.

[0006]

[0005] Some secondary metabolites produced by the gut microbiome may act as a neurotransmitter in another organism. Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules which allow communication between the cells of an organism. Receptors for neurotransmitters may be present e.g. on muscle cells or neurons. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA; CAS-No. 56-12-2; also referred to e.g. as 5-aminobutanoic acid) is known to be a main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and the spinal cord. GABA slows or blocks specific nerve signals in the brain, thereby modulating levels of anxiety, fear and / or stress as perceivable by humans and animals. Accordingly, imbalanced GABA activity in the body has been described to cause disorders, such as anxiety, stress, depression or fear, e.g. Petty 1995. Journal of Affective Disorders 34: 275-281.

[0006] It has been found that direct supplementation with GABA can down-regulate stress. Notably however, direct external supply of GABA yielded conflicting results with limited efficacy so far. Also, the half-life of GABA in the body is short (e.g. less than 17 min in mice), thus further reducing efficacy and efficiency of direct GABA administration.

[0007]

[0007] Similarly, kynurenine (KYN) is known as a neuromodulator of stress. In particular the ratio of KYN over tryptophan (TRP) was found to specifically relate to aggressive behavior and social disturbance. It was found that a lower KYN / TRP ratio is linked to higher social disturbance profile.

[0008] Serotonin within the central nervous system cannot cross the blood / brain barrier, while tryptophan is capable of crossing the blood / brain barrier. Therefore, higher tryptophan in the gut means more tryptophan will cross the blood / brain barrier, where it can be transformed to central serotonin. Serotonin is the precursor of melatonin. An increase in serotonin level will thus cause an increase in melatonin level. It is known that melatonin and its precursor serotonin can impact the production of insulin and glucagon. An increase in the melatonin concentration can enhance the level of insulin and glucagon.

[0008]

[0009] As an alternative to direct supplementation of secondary metabolites of interest, some oligosaccharide preparations have been described to increase the production of certain secondary metabolites by the microbiome, while other oligosaccharide preparations were not capable of achieving such effect, e.g. WO 2023 / 161312 A1 , WO 2020 / 097443 A1.

[0009]

[0010] Another aspect to be considered with respect to compositions intended for consumption is the acceptability of the components comprised by the composition. For instance, in the case of oligosaccharides that are produced by condensation of monomer sugars in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst might only be present at a certain maximum concentration and / or might only be a certain type of molecule, in particular a non-toxic molecule that is well understood and generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Similarly, oligosaccharides obtained from and made up of certain feed sugars may be associated with undesirable adverse effects. For instance, galactooligosaccharides (GOS) have been described to trigger gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, e.g. Tuck et al. (Am J gastroenterol. 2018. 113(1): 124-134).

[0010]

[0011] In view of the prior art as outlined above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide means and methods that provide health benefits to a consumer.

[0011]

[0012] In some aspects, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition for (i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing or maintaining cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; for (ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; and / or for (iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two carbohydrate fractions having different degrees of polymerization (DP); wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a first carbohydrate fraction having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2; and at least a second carbohydrate fraction having a DP of more than 2; wherein a maximum DP of the at least two carbohydrate fractions is 100, preferably 70, more preferably 50; and wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

[0012]

[0013] In some embodiments, said improving wellbeing relates to the wellbeing of an individual, in particular a non-human individual (e.g. an animal such as a bird, e.g. poultry, chicken etc.; a non-human mammal, ruminant such as e.g. cow, swine, horse etc.). In some embodiments, said improving wellbeing relates to the wellbeing of an individual, in particularthe wellbeing of a human individual.

[0013]

[0014] In some embodiments, said improving wellbeing relates to supporting a normal functioning of cognition. In some embodiments, said supporting a normal functioning of cognition is an increased resilience of cognition against reduction or impairment of cognitive function as a consequence of stress, and / or of disease. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition for maintaining or supporting normal cognitive function of a healthy individual.

[0014]

[0015] In some embodiments, cognitive function of an individual has been reduced or impaired as a consequence of stress, and / or of disease. Such disease can be e.g. psychological and / or physiological, an immediate or mediate or indirect consequence of an infection (e.g. viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, parasite infection, long covid, long flu, etc.). The cognitive function can be impaired e.g. by stress, occupational burnout, depression etc. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing such reduced or impaired cognitive function. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition for restoring such reduced or impaired cognitive function back to a normal (or non-reduced or non-impaired) cognitive function.

[0015]

[0016] The term "carbohydrate" relates inter alia to mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, oligo-, and / or polysaccharides. A carbohydrate composition as referred to herein comprises such saccharides. The term "oligosaccharides" relates to any saccharides wherein at least two monosaccharides are linked to one another by glycosidic linkage(s).

[0016]

[0017] Carbohydrate compositions may comprise a mixture of monosaccharides, di-, tri-, tetra- and / or higher oligosaccharides, and / or polysaccharides. In order to obtain such carbohydrate compositions, larger polysaccharides as isolated from natural material may be (partially) broken down e.g. by enzymes or by chemical treatment (e.g. acid treatment) to form a heterogeneous mixture of differently sized fragments of the initial material. Alternatively, carbohydrate compositions may be produced by joining (e.g. condensation) of smaller carbohydrate units such as e.g. mono-, di-, trisaccharides, to form mixtures of oligosaccharides of varying or defined degree(s) of polymerization and of defined patterns of glycosidic linkages. Depending on the choice for a certain manufacturing process, the resulting carbohydrate composition will possess distinct chemical, biological and / or physical properties, and may consequently exert distinct effects.

[0017]

[0018] In contrast to non-synthetic (or natural) carbohydrate compositions, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions referred to herein are the product of a production process controlled by a human operator. Consequently, such synthetic carbohydrate compositions are being obtained from components which were deliberately and diligently selected for high quality. Owing to the controllability of the manufacturing process of such synthetic carbohydrate compositions, a presence of side products or pollutants derived from natural source(s), including e.g. allergens or toxic secondary compounds of natural origin, can be avoided; thus resulting in a product of particularly high quality and reproducibility.

[0018]

[0019] A synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention comprises a specific composition of carbohydrate fractions. In particular, a synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two different carbohydrate fractions, which differ from one another at least in that they are having different degrees of polymerization. In other words, a first carbohydrate fraction of said at least two carbohydrate fractions has a first DP; and a second carbohydrate fraction of said at least two carbohydrate fractions has a second DP which is different from the first DP of the first carbohydrate fraction. For instance, the first carbohydrate fraction has a DP of 2, and the second carbohydrate fraction has a DP of more than 2, e.g. a DP of 3. A carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 2 comprises carbohydrates in which two monomer sugars (monosaccharides) are joined (or condensed or linked) to one another by glycosidic bond(s) to form a disaccharide. A carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3 comprises carbohydrates in which three monomer sugars (monosaccharides) are joined (or condensed or linked) to one another by glycosidic bond(s), also referred to as trisaccharide.

[0019]

[0020] The inventors hypothesize that carbohydrate or glycan compositions comprising high-DP fractions, i.e. DP100 or higher do not contribute to the beneficial effects of the synthetic carbohydrate compositions of the invention, or at least such high-DP fractions contribute to a lower degree. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions of the invention do not comprise fraction(s) having a DP of 100 or higher. In some preferred embodiments the synthetic carbohydrate compositions of the invention do not comprise fraction(s) having a DP of 70 or higher. In some preferred embodiments the synthetic carbohydrate compositions of the invention do not comprise fraction(s) having a DP of 50 or higher.

[0020]

[0021] For the sake of clarity, the at least two glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes are two separate types of glycosidic bonds. In other words, the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a first type of a glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes, such as e.g. a beta-(1 ,3) glycosidic bond; and the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least another type of a glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes which is not a beta- (1 ,3), but a different type of a glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes, such as e.g. a beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic bond. Analogously the at least three glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes are three distinct types of glycosidic bonds, the at least four glycosidic bonds indigestible by human enzymes are four distinct types of glycosidic bonds.

[0021]

[0022] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions referred to herein comprise at least two glycosidic linkage types, which at least two glycosidic linkage types are indigestible by human enzymes, and wherein the at least two glycosidic linkage types are selected from alpha-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,2) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, and beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic linkage. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least three different glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes selected from alpha-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,2) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, and beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic linkage. In some preferred embodiments the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least four different glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes selected from alpha-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,2) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, and beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic linkage. Ways to determine digestibility or indigestibility by human enzymes are described in the Examples herein.

[0022]

[0023] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions referred to herein are synthetic carbohydrate compositions wherein at least 50% (e.g. at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% etc.) of the synthetic carbohydrate composition is amylase-resistant. In other words, at least 50% (e.g. at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% etc.) of the synthetic carbohydrate composition is non-digestible by human amylase enzyme. In other words, not more than 50% (m / m) per DP fraction of a synthetic carbohydrate compositions referred to herein will be reduced upon treatment with amylase.

[0023]

[0024] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the at least first fraction; preferably at least 5 wt%; and / or the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the at least first fraction; preferably at most 30 wt%. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 15-20 wt% of the at least first fraction, i.e. the DP2 fraction.

[0025] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 40, 35, 40, 45, 50 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction; preferably at least 20 wt%; and / or the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 90 wt% (e.g. at most 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention comprises more than 30 wt% of the at least second fraction, i.e. the DP3+ fraction(s). In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention comprises more than 40 wt% of the at least second fraction, i.e. the DP3+ fraction(s). In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention comprises 30-60 wt% of the at least second fraction, i.e. the DP3+ fraction(s). In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises 15-20 wt% of the DP2 fraction, and more than 30 wt% of the DP3+ fraction. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises 15-20 wt% of the DP2 fraction, and 20-80, preferably 25-70, more preferably 30-60 wt% of the DP3+ fraction.

[0024]

[0026] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition further comprises a carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3. In some preferred embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; and / or at most 70 wt% (e.g. at most 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

[0025]

[0027] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers. Said joining can be interpreted as linking, condensing or polymerizing; in any case said joining refers to the formation of at least one glycosidic bond or linkage between the monomers. In such embodiments where the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers, glucose monomers are essentially the only sugar monomers used as feed sugars (or starting sugars). For instance, pure glucose or glucose syrup might be used as feed sugar material in the preparation process of the synthetic carbohydrate composition. For the sake of clarity, feed sugars or feed sugar material or starting sugars or starting sugar material relates to the sugar molecules being used for the production of synthetic carbohydrate compositions referred to herein.

[0026]

[0028] The term "consisting essentially of' as used herein means that the total amount of the listed ingredients ideally sums up to 100 weight percent. It is however not excluded that small amounts of impurities derived from the ingredients and / or the production process may be present.

[0029] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers. In such embodiments, where the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers, glucose and xylose monomers are essentially the only sugar monomers used as feed sugars in the preparation process of the synthetic carbohydrate composition.

[0027]

[0030] When glucose, and optionally xylose, is / are essentially the only feed sugars, presence of other sugars, which might be problematic to some consumers, can be avoided. Such potentially problematic other sugars, e.g. lactose, might be derived from sources that some consumers want or need to avoid (e.g. for ethical and / or medical reason(s)), such as e.g. animal milk.

[0028]

[0031] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is lactic acid and / or citric acid. Selecting a catalyst from lactic acid or citric acid has the advantage that these molecules are well known and understood, generally accepted and recognized as safe for handling and consumption, in particular for human consumption. Such safety considerations are inter alia particularly relevant for products intended for oral application. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers in the presence of lactic acid as catalyst. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers in the presence of citric acid as catalyst. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers in the presence of citric acid and lactic acid as catalysts. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers in the presence of lactic acid as catalyst. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers in the presence of citric acid as catalyst. In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers in the presence of citric acid and lactic acid as catalysts. In embodiments of the invention, where glucose monomers and xylose monomers are joined, the glucose monomers and xylose monomers are used at a ratio between 1 : 100 and 100: 1 , preferably between 1 :50 and 50: 1 .

[0029]

[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises at least 0.1 wt% (e.g. at least 0.1 , 0.5, 1 , 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 wt%) of a fraction having a DP of 1 ; and / or at most 60 wt% (e.g. at most 60, 55, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of a fraction having a DP of 1 ; preferably at most 35 wt%. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 10-30 wt% of the fraction having at DP of 1 (DP1).

[0030]

[0033] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises at least a fraction having a DP of 4; preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 0.1 wt%, (e.g. at least 0.1 , 0.2, 0.5, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 wt% etc.) of the fraction having a DP of 4; and / or preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the fraction having a DP of 4.

[0031]

[0034] In some embodiments of the invention, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises a saccharide content of at least 50% Brix (e.g. at least 50, 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90% Brix etc.), preferably at least 60% Brix. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises a saccharide content of at least 70% Brix. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate composition referred to herein comprises a saccharide content of 60-98% Brix, preferably 70-95% Brix.

[0032]

[0035] In some aspects, the invention relates to a composition (e.g. nutritional composition, nutritional product, pet food, feed, food, beverage, additive for pet food, additive for feed, additive for food, additive for beverage, food product, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug, therapeutic agent, formulation, unitdosage form, powder, tablet, pill, capsule, gel capsule etc.) comprising the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention; and at least one further component (e.g. carbon source, fat source, one or more amino acids, one or more vitamins, one or more carotenoids, carrier, amorphous silica, silicone dioxide, diatomaceous earth, diatomite, rice fiber carrier, Psyllium fiber carrier, oat fiber carrier, banana flour, calcium carbonate and / or calcium phosphate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose etc.).

[0033]

[0036] In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composition (e.g. nutritional composition, nutritional product, pet food, feed, food, beverage, additive for pet food, additive for feed, additive for food, additive for beverage, food product, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug, therapeutic agent, formulation, unit-dosage form, powder, tablet, pill, capsule, gel capsule etc.) according to the invention, e.g. for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, ora dietary supplement; the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention; and (b) combining the synthetic carbohydrate composition of step (a) with at least one further component suitable for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement.

[0034]

[0037] In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for improving wellbeing of an individual, in particular for enhancing or maintaining cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) improving wellbeing of an individual, in particular enhancing cognitive function (e.g. enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders of the individual.

[0035]

[0038] In some embodiments of the invention, step (b) of the method for improving wellbeing of an individual is achieved by oral ingestion of the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or the composition according to the invention.

[0036]

[0039] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the microbiome of the individual of step (b) of the method for improving wellbeing of an individual is the gut microbiome of the individual.

[0040] In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbial community; and (c) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by the microbial community. Such a method will allow e.g. studies of metabolite production (e.g. gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine, serotonine) by different microbial communities.

[0037]

[0041] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the microbiome of the individual of step (b) of the method for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community, is a gut microbiome, preferably a human gut microbiome.

[0042] In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) increasing the level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0038]

[0043] In some embodiments of the invention, step (b) of the method for increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, is achieved by oral ingestion of the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or the composition according to the invention.

[0039]

[0044] In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the microbiome of the individual of step (b) of the method for increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, is a gut microbiome, preferably a human gut microbiome.

[0040]

[0045] In some aspects, the invention relates to a use of a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention for: (i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing or maintaining cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; (ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; and / or (iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0041]

[0046] In some embodiments, the invention relates to a use of a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention for maintaining or supporting normal cognitive function of a healthy individual.

[0042]

[0047] In some aspects, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; for use in treatment, amelioration, prevention and / or prophylaxis of one or more disorder(s); preferably wherein the one or more discorder(s) is / are associated with an imbalanced level of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid; wherein the one or more disorders are selected from the group of reduced cognitive function, anxiety, brain fog, stress, depression, and fear disorder.

[0043]

[0048] In some aspects, the invention relates to a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; for use in maintaining or supporting maintenance of normal cognitive function.

[0044]

[0049] In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention are used to increase (i) probiotic and / or keystone species (e.g. Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides fragilis): and (ii) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In some hypotheses, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum is responsible for, or at least involved in the production of GABA by the gut microbiome. In some embodiments, the invention therefore relates to a method for increasing a level (concentration) of gamma-aminobutyric acid by a microbial community, and / or in the body of an individual (e.g. in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual); the method comprising the steps of: (a) increasing the abundance of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum in a microbiome (preferably in a gut microbiome, more preferably in a gut microbiome in the individual); and (b) thus increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid; preferably, the method further comprises the steps of providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; and contacting the microbiome with the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition.

[0045]

[0050] In some embodiments of the invention, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition comprising a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, is supplied or administered to an invididual (e.g. human individual) at a dosage and / or dosage regime sufficient to appreciate the effect. In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition comprising a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, is supplied or administered to an invididual (e.g. human individual) until the effect is appreciated by the individual. In some embodiments, said effect is one or more of (a) treatment; (b) amelioration; (c) prevention; and / or (d) prophylaxis; of (i) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and / or serotonin; (ii) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of gamma- aminobutyric acid; (iii) one or more disorder(s) selected from the group of: reduced cognitive function, anxiety, brain fog, stress, depression, and fear disorder; (iv) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one bacterial species of a microbiome; (v) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one keystone species, preferably bacterial keystone species; (vi) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one probiotic species, preferably bacterial probiotic species; and / or of (vii) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of Blautia species, preferably Blautia massiliensis; Bifidobacterium species, preferably Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum; and / or Bacteroides species, preferably Bacteroides fragilis. In some embodiments, said effect is to maintaining and / or supporting maintenance of normal cognitive function. In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition comprising a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, is supplied or administered to an invididual (e.g. human individual) at an amount of at least 0.1 grams per day. In preferred embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition comprising a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, is supplied or administered to an invididual (e.g. human individual) at an amount of 0.1-50 grams per day, preferably of 0.5-20 grams per day, more preferably 0.5 - 10 grams per day (e.g. 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , 1.1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, etc. grams per day). In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, or a composition comprising a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention, is supplied or administered to an invididual (e.g. human individual) at least once a day, or until the effect is appreciated.

[0046]

[0051] The invention can be further characterized by the following embodiments:

[0047]

[0052] Item 1 . Synthetic carbohydrate composition for (i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; for (ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; and / or for (iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two carbohydrate fractions having different degrees of polymerization (DP); wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a first carbohydrate fraction having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2; and at least a second carbohydrate fraction having a DP of more than 2; wherein a maximum DP of the at least two carbohydrate fractions is 100, preferably 70, more preferably 50; and wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

[0048]

[0053] Item 2: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for improving wellbeing.

[0049]

[0054] Item 3: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enhancing cognitive function.

[0050]

[0055] Item 4: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease.

[0056] Item 5: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for maintaining or supporting normal cognitive function.

[0051]

[0057] Item 6: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for reducing anxiety.

[0052]

[0058] Item 7: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for reducing brain fog.

[0053]

[0059] Item 8: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for reducing stress.

[0054]

[0060] Item 9: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for reducing depression.

[0055]

[0061] Item 10: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for reducing fear disorders.

[0056]

[0062] Item 11 : Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community (in particular by a microbiome, preferably by a gut microbiome).

[0057]

[0063] Item 12: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing production of gamma- aminobutyric acid by a microbial community (in particular by a microbiome, preferably by a gut microbiome).

[0058]

[0064] Item 13: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing a level (or concentration) of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0059]

[0065] Item 14: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing a level (or concentration) of gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual).

[0060]

[0066] Item 15: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual).

[0061]

[0067] Item 16: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing production of gamma- aminobutyric acid in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual).

[0062]

[0068] Item 17: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for modulating a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0063]

[0069] Item 18: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0064]

[0070] Item 19: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0071] Item 20: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for increasing a relative abundance of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0065]

[0072] Item 21 : Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment of at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0066]

[0073] Item 22: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment of at least one keystone species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0067]

[0074] Item 23: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0068]

[0075] Item 24: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0069]

[0076] Item 25: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of at least one species of at least one of the genera of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0077] Item 26: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia sp., Bifidobacterium sp., and / or Bacteroides sp., in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0070]

[0078] Item 27: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0071]

[0079] Item 28: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0072]

[0080] Item 29: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0073]

[0081] Item 30: Synthetic carbohydrate composition for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome).

[0074]

[0082] Item 31 : The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two carbohydrate fractions having different degrees of polymerization (DP); wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a first carbohydrate fraction having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2; and at least a second carbohydrate fraction having a DP of more than 2; wherein a maximum DP of the at least two carbohydrate fractions is 100, preferably 70, more preferably 50; and wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

[0075]

[0083] Item 32: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least three glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

[0076]

[0084] Item 33: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least four glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

[0077]

[0085] Item 34: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the at least two (or optionally the at least three, or optionally the at least four) glycosidic linkage types are selected from alpha-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,2) glycosidic linkage, beta- (1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, and beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic linkage.

[0078]

[0086] Item 35: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein at least 50% (e.g. at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% etc.) of the synthetic carbohydrate composition is amylase-resistant.

[0079]

[0087] Item 36: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein at least 50% m / m (e.g. at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% etc.) of the at least two carbohydrate fractions of the synthetic carbohydrate composition is non-degradable upon incubation with amylase.

[0080]

[0088] Item 37: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the at least first fraction; preferably at least 5 wt%.

[0081]

[0089] Item 38: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the at least first fraction; preferably at most 30 wt%.

[0082]

[0090] Item 39: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the at least first fraction; preferably at least 5 wt%; and / or wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the at least first fraction; preferably at most 30 wt%.

[0091] Item 40: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 15-20 wt% of the at least first fraction (DP2 fraction).

[0083]

[0092] Item 41 : The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 40, 35, 40, 45, 50 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction; preferably at least 20 wt%.

[0084]

[0093] Item 42: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 90 wt% (e.g. at most 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction.

[0085]

[0094] Item 43: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 40, 35, 40, 45, 50 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction; preferably at least 20 wt%; and / or wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 90 wt% (e.g. at most 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction.

[0086]

[0095] Item 44: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 30 wt% of the at least second fraction.

[0087]

[0096] Item 45: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 30-60 wt% of the at least second fraction.

[0088]

[0097] Item 46: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 30-60 wt% of the DP3+ fraction.

[0089]

[0098] Item 47: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 20-80, preferably 25-70, more preferably 30-60 wt% of the DP3+ fraction.

[0090]

[0099] Item 48: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 15-20 wt% of the DP2 fraction, and more than 30 wt% of the DP3+ fraction.

[0091]

[0100] Item 49: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 15-20 wt% of the DP2 fraction, and 20-80, preferably 25-70, more preferably 30-60 wt% of the DP3+ fraction.

[0092]

[0101] Item 50: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition further comprises a carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

[0093]

[0102] Item 51 : The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 70 wt% (e.g. at most 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

[0094]

[0103] Item 52: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition further comprises a carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; and / or preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 70 wt% (e.g. at most 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

[0095]

[0104] Item 53: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3,

[0096] 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; and / or at most 70 wt% (e.g. at most 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,

[0097] 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

[0098]

[0105] Item 54: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable by joining (e.g. condensing) of glucose monomers.

[0099]

[0106] Item 54: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable by joining (e.g. condensing) of glucose monomers, and wherein glucose monomers are essentially the only feed sugar material.

[0100]

[0107] Item 55: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-53, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers.

[0101]

[0108] Item 56: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-53, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers, and wherein glucose monomers and xylose monomers are essentially the only feed sugar material.

[0102]

[0109] Item 57: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable in the absence of feed sugar(s) different from glucose and xylose (e.g. lactose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, sorbitol, N-acetylglucosamine); preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers, and optionally xylose monomers,.

[0103]

[0110] Item 58: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is lactic acid.

[0104]

[0111] Item 59: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is citric acid.

[0105]

[0112] Item 60: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition is obtained or obtainable in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is lactic acid and / or citric acid.

[0106]

[0113] Item 61 : The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 0.1 wt% (e.g. at least 0.1 , 0.5, 1 , 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 wt%) of a fraction having a DP of 1 ; and / or at most 60 wt% (e.g. at most 60, 55, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the fraction having a DP of 1 ; preferably at most 35 wt%.

[0107]

[0114] Item 62: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises 10-30 wt% of the fraction having at DP of 1 (DP1).

[0108]

[0115] Item 63: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a fraction having a DP of 4; preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 0.1 wt%, (e.g. at least 0.1 , 0.2, 0.5, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 wt% etc.) of the fraction having a DP of 4; and / or preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the fraction having a DP of 4.

[0109]

[0116] Item 64: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises a saccharide content of at least 50% Brix (e.g. at least 50, 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90% Brix etc.), preferably at least 60% Brix.

[0110]

[0117] Item 65: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises a saccharide content of at least 70% Brix.

[0118] Item 66: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises a saccharide content of 60-98% Brix, preferably 70-95% Brix.

[0111]

[0119] Item 67: A composition (e.g. nutritional composition, nutritional product, pet food, feed, food, beverage, additive for pet food, additive for feed, additive for food, additive for beverage, food product, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug, therapeutic agent, formulation, unit-dosage form, powder, tablet, pill, capsule, gel capsule etc.) comprising the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding items; and at least one further component (e.g. carbon source, fat source, one or more amino acids, one or more vitamins, one or more carotenoids, carrier, amorphous silica, silicone dioxide, diatomaceous earth, diatomite, rice fiber carrier, Psyllium fiber carrier, oat fiber carrier, banana flour, calcium carbonate and / or calcium phosphate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose etc.).

[0112]

[0120] Item 68: The composition of item 67, wherein the at least one further component is one or more amino acid(s) selected from phenylalanine, glutamate, tyrosine and tryptophane.

[0113]

[0121] Item 69: The composition of any one of items 67-68, wherein the at least one further component is selected from one or more carotenoid(s) e.g. beta-carotene, apocarotenal (8'-apo- beta-carotenal, trans-beta-apo-8'-carotenal), astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin.

[0114]

[0122] Item 70: The composition of any one of items 67-69, wherein the at least one further component is selected from one or more water-soluble and / or fat-soluble vitamin(s).

[0115]

[0123] Item 71 : The composition of any one of items 67-70, wherein the at least one further component is selected from one or more prebiotic compound(s); and / or one or more microorganism product(s), e.g. yeast cell walls, postbiotic(s), probiotic(s), synbiotic(s), Lactobacillus sp. (L. acidophilus, L. easel, L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. helveticus, L. paracasei, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius etc.), Pediococcus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., (B. bifidum, B. breve, B. lactis, B. longum, etc.), Blautia sp. (e.g. B. massiliensis, etc.), Bacteroides sp. (e.g. B. fragilis, etc.), etc.

[0116]

[0124] Item 72: The composition of any one of items 67-71 , wherein the at least one further component is one or more microorganism(s) suitable for improving, maintaining and / or restoring normal or impaired cognitive function.

[0117]

[0125] Item 73: The synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, and / or the composition of any one of items 67-72, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition and / or the composition is subjected to one or more further processing step(s), e.g. decolorization, filtration, heating, cooling, chromatography, etc.

[0118]

[0126] Item 74: Method for manufacturing a composition of any one of items 67-72, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66; and (b) combining the synthetic carbohydrate composition of step (a) with at least one further component.

[0119]

[0127] Item 75: The method of item 74, wherein the at least one further component is a component suitable for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement.

[0120]

[0128] Item 76: Method for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66; and (b) combining the synthetic carbohydrate composition of step (a) with at least one further component.

[0121]

[0129] Item 77: The method of item 76, wherein the at least one further component is a component suitable for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement.

[0122]

[0130] Item 78: Method for improving wellbeing of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) improving wellbeing of the individual.

[0123]

[0131] Item 79: Method for enhancing cognitive function of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) enhancing cognitive function of the individual.

[0124]

[0132] Item 80: Method for enhancing cognitive function of an individual, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) enhancing cognitive function of the individual and / or restoring the cognitive function to non-reduced level.

[0125]

[0133] Item 81 : Method for maintaining or supporting normal cognitive function of an individual (in particular, of a healthy individual), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) maintaining or supporting normal cognitive function of the individual.

[0126]

[0134] Item 82: Method for reducing anxiety of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) reducing anxiety of the individual.

[0135] Item 83: Method for reducing brain fog of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) reducing brain fog of the individual.

[0127]

[0136] Item 84: Method for reducing stress of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) reducing stress of the individual.

[0128]

[0137] Item 85: Method for reducing depression of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) reducing depression of the individual.

[0129]

[0138] Item 86: Method for reducing fear disorders of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) reducing fear disorders of the individual.

[0130]

[0139] Item 87: The method of any one of items 78-86, wherein step (b) of the method is achieved by oral ingestion of the synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or of a composition of any one of items 67-72.

[0131]

[0140] Item 88: The method of any one of items 78-87, wherein the microbiome of the individual is the gut microbiome of the individual, and preferably wherein the individual is a human individual.

[0132]

[0141] Item 89: Method for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community (in particular by a microbiome, preferably by a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbial community; and (c) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma- aminobutyric acid, by the microbial community.

[0133]

[0142] Item 90: Method for increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid by a microbial community (in particular by a microbiome, preferably by a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbial community; and (c) increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid by the microbial community.

[0143] Item 91 : The method of anyone of items 89-90, wherein the microbial community is a gut microbiome, preferably a human gut microbiome.

[0134]

[0144] Item 92: Method for increasing a level (or concentration) of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, to the individual; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) increasing the level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0135]

[0145] Item 93: Method for increasing a level (or concentration) of gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, to the individual;

[0136] (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) increasing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0137]

[0146] Item 94: Method for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, to the individual; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and

[0138] (c) increasing the production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0139]

[0147] Item 95: Method for increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the body of an individual (in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, to the individual; (b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and (c) increasing the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

[0140]

[0148] Item 96: The method of any one of items 92-95, wherein step (b) of the method is achieved by oral ingestion of the synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72.

[0149] Item 97: The method of any one of items 92-96, wherein the microbiome of step (b) is a gut microbiome, preferably a human gut microbiome.

[0141]

[0150] Item 98: Method for modulating a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) modulating the microbial community.

[0142]

[0151] Item 99: Method for increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72;

[0143] (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in the microbial community.

[0144]

[0152] Item 100: Method for increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species in the microbial community.

[0145]

[0153] Item 101 : Method for increasing a relative abundance of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) increasing a relative abundance of at least one probiotic species in the microbial community.

[0146]

[0154] Item 102: Method for enrichment of at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and

[0147] (c) enriching at least one keystone species and of at least one probiotic species in the microbial community.

[0148]

[0155] Item 103: Method for enrichment of at least one keystone species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching at least one keystone species in the microbial community.

[0149]

[0156] Item 104: Method for enrichment of at least one probiotic species in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching at least one probiotic species in the microbial community.

[0150]

[0157] Item 105: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in the microbial community.

[0151]

[0158] Item 106: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of at least one species of at least one of the genera of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) increasing a relative abundance, of at least one species of at least one of the genera of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and / or Bacteroides, in the microbial community.

[0152]

[0159] Item 107: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia sp., Bifidobacterium sp., and / or Bacteroides sp., in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching or increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia sp., Bifidobacterium sp., and / or Bacteroides sp., in the microbial community.

[0153]

[0160] Item 108: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching or increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in the microbial community.

[0154]

[0161] Item 109: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching or increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, in the microbial community.

[0155]

[0162] Item 110: Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching or increasing a relative abundance, of Blautia massiliensis, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in the microbial community.

[0156]

[0163] Item 111 : Method for enrichment, or for increasing a relative abundance, of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in a microbial community (in particular a microbiome, preferably a gut microbiome), the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72; (b) contacting the microbial community with the synthetic carbohydrate composition or with the composition; and (c) enriching or increasing a relative abundance, of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and / or Bacteroides fragilis, in the microbial community.

[0157]

[0164] Item 112: The method of any one of items 98-111 , wherein step (b) of the method is achieved by oral ingestion of the synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72.

[0158]

[0165] Item 113: The method of any one of items 98-112, wherein the microbial community is a gut microbiome, preferably a human gut microbiome.

[0159]

[0166] Item 114: Use of a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, 73, or a composition of any one of items 67-73, in or for a method of any one of items 74-113.

[0160]

[0167] Item 115: Use of a synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1-66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72 for one or more of: (i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; (ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; (iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; (iv) modulating a microbial community; (v) increasing a relative abundance of at least one keystone species; and / or (vi) increasing a relative abundance of at least one probiotic species; preferably wherein the at least one keystone species and / or probiotic species is selected from Blautia species, preferably Blautia massiliensis; Bifidobacterium species, preferably Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum; and Bacteroides species, preferably Bacteroides fragilis.

[0161]

[0168] Item 116: A synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, for use in one or more of: (a) treatment; (b) amelioration; (c) prevention; and / or (d) prophylaxis.

[0162]

[0169] Item 117: A synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, for use in one or more of: (a) treatment; (b) amelioration; (c) prevention; and / or (d) prophylaxis; of (i) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and / or serotonin; (ii) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of gamma-aminobutyric acid; (iii) one or more disorder(s) selected from the group of: reduced cognitive function, anxiety, brain fog, stress, depression, and fear disorder; (iv) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one bacterial species of a microbiome; (v) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one keystone species, preferably bacterial keystone species; (vi) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of at least one probiotic species, preferably bacterial probiotic species; and / or of (vii) one or more disorder(s) associated with an imbalanced level of Blautia species, preferably Blautia massiliensis- Bifidobacterium species, preferably Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- and / or Bacteroides species, preferably Bacteroides fragilis.

[0163]

[0170] Item 118: A synthetic carbohydrate composition of any one of items 1 -66, or a composition of any one of items 67-72, for use in maintaining and / or supporting maintenance of normal cognitive function.

[0164]

[0171] Aspects of the invention may be further characterized in certain applications, forms or formulations thereof, as exemplarily described in the following.

[0165]

[0172] The synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention is suitable as an ingredient for a nutritional product, such as pet food, feed, food, additive for pet food, feed, food. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions are used in one or more food product(s): e.g. breakfast cereals, granola, granola bars or other types of bars, yogurt, ice cream, pastries, confectionary, flatbreads, baked goods, breads, cookies, candies, cakes, tartes, pies, cake mixes, shakes (e.g. nutritional shakes, milk shakes, protein shakes etc.), gummies, jellies, wine gums, fruit gums, milk products (e.g. milk powder products, e.g. from cow milk, sheep milk, goat milk), protein powder products, infant formula, early life nutrition products, milk alternative products (oat drinks, rice drinks, soy drinks etc.), caramel candies, potato-based snacks (e.g. chips, crisps, fried potatoes), mixes for coating of food products, seasoning mixes, mixed spices, nuts, pistachios, beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, beer, wine, mead, cocktails, fruit juices, energy drinks, coffee or tea preparations, soft drinks, fermented beverages, fortified water, sugar- sweetened beverages, non-caloric sweet beverages), instant soups, cacao, instant cacao, hot chocolate, chocolate products (e.g. chocolate bars). In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention is used for staple food fortification, e.g. in fortified rice, fortified flour and / or fortified sugar product(s).

[0166]

[0173] In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions are used in one or more food product(s) for the purpose of improving wellbeing; enhancing cognitive function; maintaining cognitive function; supporting normal (healthy) cognitive function; supporting normal cognitive function of a healthy individual; enhancing impaired cognitive function (e.g. impaired by stress and / or disease); restoring impaired cognitive function (e.g. impaired by stress and / or disease); reducing anxiety; reducing brain fog; reducing stress; reducing depression; reducing fear (disorder); increasing production of a metabolite in a consumer of the one or more food product(s), e.g. increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, kynurenine, dopamine and / or serotonin in a consumer of the one or more food product(s); modulating a microbial community (e.g. gut microbiome) in a consumer of the one or more food product(s); increasing a relative abundance of one or more keystone species and / or probiotic species (e.g. Blautia species such as Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium species such as Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides species such as Bacteroides fragilis) in a consumer of the one or more food product(s), in particular increasing a relative abundance of one or more keystone species and / or probiotic species (e.g. Blautia species such as Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium species such as Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides species such as Bacteroides fragilis) in a microbial community (e.g. gut microbiome) in a consumer of the one or more food product(s). In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions are used in one or more food product(s) as a dietary supplement sugar replacer, gelling aid or gelling agent, component to increase dietary fiber content, low-calory component, agent to reduce calorie content, bulking agent to reduce or replace fat, flour or other food ingredient relevant for calorie content, caloryreducing component, prebiotic, agent to modify aroma and / or taste (e.g. add roasting flavor), thickening aid or thickening agent, lubricant or lubricating aid or lubricating agent, agent to lower glycemic index, agent to lower cholesterol, agent to attenuate blood glucose, agent to maintain or promote gastrointestinal health, agent to maintain or promote gastrointestinal wellbeing, sweetener, agent to replace nutritive sweeteners (e.g. sucrose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup), agent to improve food texture, agent to extend shelf life (e.g. reduction of water activity, reduction of clumping), agent to improve processing of food products.

[0174] The synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention are suitable as an ingredient for a dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug or therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions may be the active ingredient, one of several active ingredients, a structural ingredient and / or excipient in a dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug or therapeutic agent.

[0167]

[0175] In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions are used in one or more dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug or therapeutic agent, for the purpose of improving wellbeing; enhancing cognitive function; maintaining cognitive function; supporting normal cognitive function; supporting normal cognitive function of a healthy individual; enhancing impaired cognitive function (e.g. impaired by stress and / or disease); restoring impaired cognitive function (e.g. impaired by stress and / or disease); reducing anxiety; reducing brain fog; reducing stress; reducing depression; reducing fear (disorder); increasing production of a metabolite in a recipient, e.g. increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid, kynurenine, dopamine and / or serotonin in a recipient; modulating a microbial community (e.g. gut microbiome) in a consumer of the one or more food product(s); increasing a relative abundance of one or more keystone species and / or probiotic species (e.g. Blautia species such as Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium species such as Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides species such as Bacteroides fragilis) in a recipient, in particular increasing a relative abundance of one or more keystone species and / or probiotic species (e.g. Blautia species such as Blautia massiliensis, Bifidobacterium species such as Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides species such as Bacteroides fragilis) in a microbial community (e.g. gut microbiome) in a recipient.

[0168]

[0176] In some embodiments, the synthetic carbohydrate compositions are used in one or more dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug or therapeutic agent, as a dietary supplement, active ingredient, sugar replacer, gelling aid or gelling agent, component to increase dietary fiber content, low-calory component, agent to reduce calorie content, bulking agent, calory-reducing component, prebiotic, agent to modify aroma and / or taste, thickening aid or thickening agent, lubricant or lubricating aid or lubricating agent, agent to lower glycemic index, agent to lower cholesterol, agent to attenuate blood glucose, agent to maintain or promote gastrointestinal health, agent to maintain or promote gastrointestinal wellbeing, sweetener, agent to replace nutritive sweeteners (e.g. sucrose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup), agent to improve texture, agent to extend shelf life (e.g. reduction of water activity, reduction of clumping), agent to improve processing.

[0169]

[0177] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a composition or product comprising a synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention may be formulated into an aqueous solution, a syrup, a gelatinous or jelly-like form, into an effervescent granule, effervescent powder or effervescent tablet, into a powder, in particular a free-flowing powder, into a tablet, a pill, a capsule, a gel capsule, a dragee etc.

[0170]

[0178] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a composition or product comprising a synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention is formulated as a unit-dosage form, in particular for oral delivery. In some embodiments, such unit-dosage form is formulated to dissolve in an aqueous solution, e.g. for oral administration as a beverage, syrup, solution, or suspension. In some embodiments, such unit-dosage form is formulated to release a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention in a specific region of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. small intestine, large intestine). In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a composition or product comprising a synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention is formulated for provision in stick packs.

[0171]

[0179] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention is formulated by absorption onto a porous carrier material (e.g. amorphous silica or silicone dioxide, diatomaceous earth or diatomite, rice fiber, rice hull, rice husk, Psyllium fiber, Psyllium hull, Psyllium husk, oat fiber, banana flour etc., calcium carbonate and / or calcium phosphate, cellulose, dried hydrogels, mixtures thereof, etc.); or a surface-porous material (e.g. mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose etc.) to improve the handling and / or processability properties of the carbohydrate composition.

[0172]

[0180] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention is formulated by absorption on a suitable carrier material such as silica-based products (e.g. amorphous silica or silicone dioxide, diatomaceous earth or diatomite), or a suitable carrier material that is essentially free of silicon dioxide (e.g. rice fiber, rice hull, rice husk, Psyllium fiber, Psyllium, hull, Psyllium husk, oat fiber, banana flour etc.).

[0173]

[0181] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention is formulated by freeze-drying or spray-drying, optionally followed by coating; by co-crystallization; as beadlets; or as (softgel) capsules.

[0174]

[0182] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention is used as a component in a composition further comprising one or more additional component(s), such as phenylalanine, glutamate, tyrosine and / or tryptophane; and / or one or more carotenoid(s) e.g. beta-carotene, apocarotenal (8'-apo-beta-carotenal, trans-beta-apo-8'-carotenal), astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin; and / or one or more water-soluble and / or fat-soluble vitamin(s); and / or one or more prebiotic compound(s); and / or one or more microorganism product(s), e.g. yeast cell walls, postbiotic(s), probiotic(s), synbiotic(s), Lactobacillus sp. (L. acidophilus, L. easel, L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. helveticus, L. paracasei, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius etc.), Pediococcus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., (B. bifidum, B. breve, B. lactis, B. longum, etc.), Blautia sp. (e.g. B. massiliensis, etc.), Bacteroides sp. (e.g. B. fragilis, etc.), etc.

[0175]

[0183] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention is used as a component in a composition further comprising one or more microorganism(s) suitable for improving, maintaining and / or restoring normal or impaired cognitive function.

[0176]

[0184] In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a form or formulation thereof, e.g. a syrup thereof, may be subjected to one or more further processing step(s). For instance, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a form or formulation thereof may be subjected to additional filtration, heating, cooling, or chromatographic steps such as e.g. ion exchange resins, adsorption resins such as activated carbon adsorption, etc. In some embodiments, a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to the invention or a form or formulation thereof is subjected to one or more step(s) of decolorization.

[0177]

[0185] In the following, the present invention is further described by non-limiting figures and examples, wherein Figure 1 shows enrichment of relative abundance of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and increase in GABA production upon fermentation of stool with different concentrations of sCC ID 2.6, wherein the square symbol indicates media control, circle indicates the responses upon incubation with 12.9 g / L sCC ID 2.6, and the triangle symbol indicates the responses upon incubation with 64.5 g / L sCC ID 2.6.

[0178]

[0186] The Figures shown herein and described below serve merely as illustrative examples and are not to be construed as limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0179]

[0187] This invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, since such embodiments may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is not intended to be limiting. The scope of the present invention is only limited by the claims.

[0180]

[0188] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, e.g. “a glycan” means one glycan or more than one glycan.

[0181]

[0189] The terms “comprising”, “comprises”, and “comprised of’ as used herein are synonymous with “including”, “includes” or “containing”, “contains”, and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements or method steps. The terms “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised of’ as used herein comprise the terms “consisting of’, “consists”, and “consists of’.

[0182]

[0190] As used herein, the expressions "% (m / m)", "% (w / w)" or “wt.-%” or similar indicate “% by weight”, “weight percentage”, or “percentage by weight”, which are all expressions which can be used interchangeably.

[0183]

[0191] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integer numbers and, where appropriate, fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. "1 to 5" or "1 -5" can include 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 5 when referring to, e.g. a number of elements, and can also include 1 .5, 2, 2.75, 3.80, etc., when referring to, e.g. measurements). The recitation of end points also includes the end point values themselves (e.g. from 1.0 to 5.0 includes both 1.0 and 5.0). Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

[0184]

[0192] The expressions “at least” and “up to” are intended to include the endpoints as well.

[0185]

[0193] For example, the expressions “at least 5” and “up to 5” both includes 5.

[0186]

[0194] All references cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In particular, the teachings of all references herein specifically referred to are incorporated by reference.

[0187]

[0195] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

[0188]

[0196] Each alternative and embodiment of the invention as described herein may be combined with any other alternative and embodiment of the invention described herein, and this for each variant unless clearly indicated to the contrary or clearly incompatible when the value range of a same parameter is disjoined. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics described in the present description may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art.

[0189] Examples

[0190]

[0197] The present invention as disclosed herein is not limited to specific embodiments, figures, methodology, examples, protocols etc. described herein but solely defined by the claims.

[0191] Example 1

[0192]

[0198] A bench-scale procedure for the synthesis of synthetic carbohydrate compositions at 10 g scale was established suitable for screening. Hereby, feed sugar(s) are combined with a catalyst compound to facilitate condensation of the feed sugar(s) into carbohydrates having a higher DP than the feed sugar(s). For instance, glucose as feed sugar may be condensed to form a carbohydrate composition comprising carbohydrate fractions having DPs of 2, 3, more than 3, etc.

[0193]

[0199] D-(+)-glucose (CAS no. 50-99-7), D-galactose (CAS no. 59-23-4), D-mannose (CAS no. 3458-28-4), D-xylose (CAS no. 58-86-6) was / were used as feed sugar(s), either alone or in combination with one another. As catalysts, lactic acid (CAS no. 64-19-7), citric acid (77-92-9), sulfonic acid (e.g. as provided by commercially available ion exchange resins, e.g. of the AmberLite product series, such as DuPont AmberLite FPC16 UPS H; or such as of the Dowex product series) was used.

[0194]

[0200] Essentially, small scale reactions were performed by charging 10 g of powdered sugar(s) (dry basis) into 20 mL scintillation vials, adding antifoam solution (30 percent food-grade silicone emulsion, e.g. "Xiameter AFE-0100 Antifoam Emulsion Food Grade") to a final antifoam concentration of 100 ppm, and melting the contents by heating to 135 °C while stirring. Condensation or oligomerization was facilitated by addition of catalyst to a final catalyst concentration of 0.1 %, and further incubation at 135 °C to evolve water off of the reaction vessel for up to several hours until adequate conversion was achieved as indicated by increased viscosity, brown or amber color. The reaction was quenched by dilution to approximately 70 wt% of syrup by addition of 3 mL of deionized water. Following cooling at room temperature, the produced synthetic carbohydrate compositions were stored at 4 °C.

[0195]

[0201] Larger scale reactions were performed analogously. For instance, to produce a synthetic carbohydrate composition using glucose as feed sugar, 1 kg of dry D-(+)-glucose was mixed with antifoam to a final antifoam concentration of 0.1 ppm in a round bottom glass flask. When glucose and xylose were used as feed sugars, 500 g of each feed sugar were used. Then, 100 mL of deionized water was added, and the mixture subjected to incubation at 135 °C while stirring. Once the feed sugar(s) was melted, catalyst (e.g. lactic acid or citric acid) was added to a final catalyst concentration of 0.1%. Incubation was continued for approximately six hours and until a change in color and viscosity was observed. Three hundred mL of deionized water was added slowly for reaction quenching, the thus produced synthetic carbohydrate composition stored at 4 °C. When sulfonic acid was used as catalyst in the form of an ion exchange resin (DuPont AmberLite FPC16UPS H), this catalyst was added to a final catalyst concentration of 2.5%, which was removed after quenching by filtration. Table 1 below shows exemplary combinations of feed sugars and the respective catalysts used for producing the synthetic carbohydrate compositions.

[0196] Table 1 : Feed sugars and catalysts used for preparing synthetic carbohydrate compositions with the indicated synthetic carbohydrate composition identifier (sCC ID).

[0197] Example 2

[0198]

[0202] In order to test for increased GABA production by human gut microbiome, the following ex vivo fermentation assay was performed under anaerobic conditions. Media solution (MM29), glycan solution (comprising the synthetic carbohydrate composition to be tested), and slurry prepared from human stool samples (comprising gut microbiota) were prepared for use in anaerobic environment.

[0199]

[0203] The media solution was prepared to contain: Tryptone 10 g / L, yeast extract 5 g / L, L- cysteine 0.5 g / L, 1 M potassium phosphate 100 mL / L, TYG salt solution 40 mL / L, vitamin K 1 mg / L, calcium chloride (0.8% stock) 1 mL / L, iron sulfate (0.4 mg / mL stock) 1 mL / L, resazurin (0.25 mg / mL stock) 4 mL / L, Histidine / Hematin (0.2 M / 2 mM stock) 1 mL / L, Tween 80 (25% stock) 2mL / L, meat extract 5 g / L, ATCC trace mineral supplement 10 mL / L, ATCC vitamin supplement 10ml_ / L, acetate 1.7ml_ / L.

[0200]

[0204] The synthetic carbohydrate composition solutions were prepared to a concentration of approximately 1 brix of each of the individual synthetic carbohydrate compositions to be tested, diluted with distilled water. As control sample, MM29 was incubated with the slurry, but without glycan solution.

[0201]

[0205] Stool sample inocula from independent donors comprised of healthy donors. In total, eight samples from donors from North America or East Asia were tested. Slurry was prepared by mixing frozen stool sample in sterile culture media. Incubation was initiated upon mixing of 125 pL of the slurry with 63 pL of the glycan solution and 1062 pL of the media solution in a single well of a multi-well plate. The glycan solution was varied by testing several different oligosaccharide preparations. All preparation of materials for fermentation was carried out inside a Coy anaerobic chamber. A BioLector XT system with a 48-well flower plate was used for fermentation. Cell biomass and culture pH were measured in-line via the BioLector XT unit at an interval of 20 minutes using the BioLector software (version 5.5). The multi-well plates were sealed and fermentation was carried out at 37 °C, shaking at 600 rpm, anaerobically, for 24 hours. Thereafter, the plates were centrifuged for pelleting non-dissolved matter, and the supernatants were used for further analysis.

[0202] Example 3

[0206] Additional synthetic carbohydrate compositions were prepared by applying the following conditions. A final pH of 2.5-4.5 was set with NaOH after conversion. As an anti-foam agent, 0.005 g of Xiameter AFE 1520 was added to each reaction.

[0203]

[0207] see ID 2.1 : Approximately 1 kg of dry D-(+)-glucose was mixed with 100 mL of deionized water, followed by incubation at approximately 130-135 °C. Then, lactic acid as catalyst catalyst was added to a final concentration of 0.1% (w / w). Incubation ofthe reaction mixture was continued for approximately 6 h. Then, the reaction mixture was cooled.

[0204]

[0208] see ID 2.2: Approximately 1250 g of glucose syrup (72-73%) was concentrated to >90% by evaporating water at 80-100°C applying vacuum. The concentrated glucose melt was heated to approximately 130 °C, then 2.0 g lactic acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 130 °C. Water formed during the reaction was removed by evaporation. After 4 h of conversion, the reaction mixture was cooled and water was added to dilute to 78% brix.

[0205]

[0209] see ID 2.3: Approximately 1250 g of glucose syrup (72-73%) was concentrated to >90% by evaporating water at 80-100°C applying vacuum. The concentrated glucose melt was heated to approximately 130 °C, then 10.6 g lactic acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 130 °C. Water formed during the reaction was removed by evaporation. After 9 h of conversion, the reaction mixture was cooled and water was added to dilute to 78% brix.

[0206]

[0210] see ID 2.4: Approximately 1250 g of glucose syrup (72-73%) was concentrated to >90% by evaporating water at 80-100°C applying vacuum. The concentrated glucose melt was heated to approximately 130 °C, then 10 g lactic acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 130 °C. Water formed during the reaction was removed by evaporation. After 24 h of conversion, the reaction mixture was cooled and water was added to dilute to 78% brix.

[0207]

[0211] see ID 2.5: Approximately 1250 g of glucose syrup (72-73%) was concentrated to >90% by evaporating water at 80-100°C applying vacuum. The concentrated glucose melt was heated to approximately 130 °C, then 20.6 g lactic acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 130 °C. Water formed during the reaction was removed by evaporation. After 8 h of conversion, the reaction mixture was cooled and water was added to dilute to 78% brix.

[0208]

[0212] see ID 2.6: Approximately 1250 g of glucose syrup (72-73%) was concentrated to >90% by evaporating water at 80-100°C applying vacuum. The concentrated glucose melt was heated to approximately 130 °C, then 11 .5 g lactic acid was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 130 °C. Water formed during the reaction was removed by evaporation. After 14 h of conversion, the reaction mixture was cooled and water was added to dilute to 78% brix.

[0209]

[0213] The synthetic carbohydrate compositions obtained from these production runs were subjected to the incubation as described in Example 2 above.

[0210] Example 4

[0214] DP analysis: Samples of the oligosaccharide preparations as prepared in Examples 1 and 3 were further analyzed by gel permeation chromatography on an Agilent 1260 Infinity system comprising degasser, binary pump, and thermostat column compartment equipped with an Agilent 1200 refractive index detector. The columns used were a PL aquagel-OH guard column, 7.5 x 50 mm, 5 pM (Agilent Part No: PL1149-1530) and a PL aquagel-OH, 7.5 x 300 mm, 5 pM (Agilent Part No: PL1120-6520), whereas the used solvent was 200 mM aqueous sodium nitrate at a flow-rate of 0.9 mL / min. and a column temperature of 40 °C. As standards, both glucose (for the quantification of total sugar content) and pullulan standards (for the size distribution) were used.

[0211]

[0215] Samples of the oligosaccharide preparations as prepared in Examples 1 and 3 were further analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detector (HPLC-RID). HPLC-RID was measured on an Agilent 1100 HPLC system equipped with an Osaka Soda Capcell PAK NH2 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5pm) column and RID detector. An isocratic water (A) I acetonitrile (B) gradient was applied: 65% B (15 min), flowrate: 1 mL / min, column temperature: 35 °C. As standard for the quantification of total sugar content, glucose was used.

[0212]

[0216] Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.1 was found to have a DP1 content of 52.8 area%, a DP2 content of 27.8 area%, a DP3 content of 12.2 area%, a DP4 content of 4.9 area%, and a DP3+ content of 19.4 area%. Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.2 was found to have a DP1 content of 54.0 area%, a DP2 content of 28.2 area%, a DP3 content of 12.2 area%, a DP4 content of 5.6 area%, and a DP3+ content of 17.8 area%. Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID

[0213] 2.3 was found to have a DP1 content of 33.8 area%, a DP2 content of 26.7 area%, a DP3 content of 17.6 area%, a DP4 content of 10.8 area%, and a DP3+ content of 39.4 area%. Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.4 was found to have a DP1 content of 26.1 area%, a DP2 content of 23.6 area%, a DP3 content of 18.1 area%, a DP4 content of 13.0 area%, and a DP3+ content of 50.3 area%. Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.5 was found to have a DP1 content of

[0214] 32.3 area%, a DP2 content of 26.4 area%, a DP3 content of 17.9 area%, a DP4 content of 11 .4 area%, and a DP3+ content of 41 .4 area%. Also as determined by HPLC, synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.5 was found to have a DP1 content of 20.1 %wt, a DP2 content of 15.8 %wt, and a DP3+ content of 42.6 %wt. Synthetic carbohydrate composition ID 2.6 was found to have a DP1 content of 22.9 %wt, a DP2 content of 18.2 %wt, and a DP3+ content of 45.2 %wt as determined by HPLC.

[0215]

[0217] NMR analysis: 2D-NMR experiments were performed on a Bruker Avance III NMR spectrometer operating at 600 MHz 1 H frequency I 151 MHz 13C frequency, equipped with a cryogenically cooled 5 mm TCI (sCC ID 2.1 and sCC ID 2.5) or a cryogenically cooled 5 mm DCH probe (sCC ID 2.2, sCC ID 2.3 and sCC ID 2.4). All experiments were carried out at 298 K. Sample preparation consisted of dissolving 50 mg (± 2 mg) of syrup in 0.8 mL D2O with 10 pL of acetone added for referencing.

[0218] HSQC pulse sequence (Bruker: hsqcetgpsp) with acquisition parameters: 16 dummy scans; 4 scans; 4.86 s relaxation delay; 165.6 ppm (F1) and 7.06 ppm (F2) spectral width; transmitter offset was set at 3.42 ppm (F2) and 74.57 ppm (F1); 1024 points were collected in F2 and 256 increments in F1 ; CNST2 was set to 145 Hz, leading to an INEPT delay of d4 = 1 / (4J) = 0.001724 s.

[0216]

[0219] Spectra were analyzed using ACD / Labs by integration of the peaks in the shift region comprising the signals of anomeric H-C pairs. Data was acquired using TopSpin 3.6.2 and processed with ACD Labs Spectrus. Integrals of annotated peaks comprised in sCC IDs 2.1-2.5, are shown in Tables 2-6, respectively.

[0217] Table 2: sCC ID 2.1.

[0218] Table 3: sCC ID 2.2. Table 4: sCC ID 2.3.

[0219] Table 5: sCC ID 2.4.

[0220] Table 6: sCC ID 2.5.

[0221] Example 5

[0222]

[0220] Synthetic carbohydrate compositions as produced in Example 1 or 3 were analyzed for digestibility, i.e. whether they would be subject to digestion by human enzymes, according to the official AOAC Method 2017.16 for measurement of total dietary fiber, e.g. Me Cleary (J AOAC Int. 2018. 102(1): 196-207). Essentially, an HPLC system equipped with an in-line desalter, GPC column and a refractive index (Rl) detector were use for separation of oligosaccharides up to about DP10. The samples were analyzed prior to and after a pancreatic alpha- amylase / amyloglucosidase digestion step according to AOAC 2017.16 at a concentration of approximately 25 g / L. The method AOAC 2017.16 is the latest AOAC method for the purpose of analyzing carbohydrate digestibility and relates to the earlier method AOAC 2009.01 using shorter digestion at higher enzyme concentrations. Prior to analysis with GPC-RI, all sample solutions were incubated at 100 °C for ten minutes to remove any microbiological or enzymatic activity. Glucose was used for calibration of the Rl detector.

[0223]

[0221] For a sample of the synthetic carbohydrate composition produced from glucose as feed sugar, using lactic acid as catalyst, the following amounts in % (m / m) were identified 0.1 , 0.0, 0.1 , 0.3, 0.6, 1.4, 3.5, 8.4, 19.4, 36.4, for fractions DP9<, DP9, DP8, DP7, DP6, DP5, DP4, DP3, DP2, DP1 , respectively. Following digestion treatment according to AOAC 2017.16, fractions DP9<, DP9, DP8, DP7, DP6, DP5, DP4, DP3, DP2, were found reduced by 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.1 , 0.1 , 0.3, 0.8, 1.3% (m / m), respectively.

[0224]

[0222] For a sample of the synthetic carbohydrate composition produced from glucose and xylose as feed sugars, using lactic acid as catalyst, the following amounts in % (m / m) were identified 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 8.3, 8.5, 21.7, 17.8, for fractions DP9<, DP9, DP8, DP7, DP6, DP5, DP4, DP3, DP2, DP1 , respectively. Following digestion treatment according to AOAC 2017.16, fractions DP9<, DP9, DP8, DP7, DP6, DP5, DP4, DP3, DP2, were found reduced by 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.8% (m / m), respectively.

[0225]

[0223] It was thus concluded that the synthetic carbohydrate compositions when produced as described above are essentially indigestible by human enzymes.

[0226] Example 6

[0227]

[0224] Production of GABA was measured by an HILIC-HRMS method using a Thermo Scientific Vanquish Horizon UHPLC equipped with a Thermo Scientific QExactive Focus detector. A Waters Atlantis BEH Z-HILIC (1 ,7pm, 50 x 2.1 mm) column was used, operated at a column temperature of 30 °C. Eluent A was 15 mM ammonium bicarbonate, pH 9, in water; eluent B was 90% acetonitrile (ACN) + 10% 15 mM ammonium bicarbonate, pH 9; flow was 0.5 mL / min; sample temperature was 4 °C; injection volume was 2 pL. As gradient, from 0-2.5 min, an eluent A:B ratio of 10:90 was used, from 2.5-3: 35:65, from 3-3.25 35:56, from 3.25-4.78 10:90, from 4.78-4.8 10:90. The following MS conditions were chosen: Scan range: 58-870 m / z; Fragmentation: None; Resolution: 35000; Polarity: Positive / Negative Switching; Microscans: 2; AGC target: 1000000; Max injection time: 100 ms; Spectrum data: Centroid mode; Source: HESI; Sheath gas flow: 48; Aux gas flow rate: 11 ; Sweep gas flow rate: 2; Spray voltage: 45414; Capillary temp: 256 °C; S- lens RF level: 55; Aux gas heater temp: 413 °C. A GABA calibration curve was established from 0.011719 mg / mL to 1.5 mg / mL. Expected retention time for GABA was 2 min, in positive polarity, with an accurate mass of 104.0706.

[0228]

[0225] The supernatants obtained from the fermentations of Example 2 were subjected to centrifugation prior to HILIC-HRMS analysis as described above. In Table 7, GABA production upon incubation of a stool sample with any one ofsCC IDs 1-7 is shown as fold-change (FC) over incubation of the same stool sample with media alone. Upon incubation with glucose monomers instead of any one of the sCC IDs, no significant change in GABA production was observed compared to incubation with media alone.

[0229] Table 7.

[0230]

[0226] Analogously, fermentations of the synthetic carbohydrate compositions obtained from the production runs of Example 3 were also found to increase production GABA. In detail, GABA responses of 4.96, 7.12, 7.49, 5.35, and 8.98 in FC compared to incubation of the same stool sample with media alone were measured upon incubation with any one of sCC ID 2.1 , 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, respectively. Notably, a higher GABA response was detected from sCC IDs having a higher DP3+ content and / or a higher DP4 content, than sCC IDs having lower DP3+ and / or DP4 content.

[0231] Example 7

[0227] Nanopore sequencing: Fecal microbiomes were characterized by metagenomic sequencing. DNA was extracted from the ex vivo fermentations using a Qiagen DNeasy PowerFecal Pro kit, and then stored at -80 °C until DNA sequencing library preparation. To this end, biomass samples obtained from the fermentations of Example 3 were subjected to nanopore sequencing. Sequencing library preparation was carried out with the SQK-RBK114.96 kit, and prepared library was run an a GridlON / MinlON V14 flow cell. Sequencing run time was 72 h, and "Super High Accuracy" reading was employed. Reads obtained from nanopore sequencer GridlON (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) were called using the Super Accuracy Analysis protocol (SUP) which estimates a 99.5% base calling accuracy. Adaptor sequences were removed from reads using Porechop version 0.2.4. Chopper version 0.5.0 was used to quality filter reads based on length (minimum of 300bps) and PHRED score. These final “HQ” reads were assigned a taxonomic rank using KrakEN2 Version 2.0.7 with a taxonomy built from the UHGG human gut microbial genome catalogue (Version 2.0; downloaded 11 / 16 / 22). In brief, this pipeline looked at K-mer exact matches across the read and determined the most likely origin of this read based on lineage defining sequences identified within a phylogenetic structure. These assigned reads were then converted to an estimated read count using Braken Version 2.5.0. These microbiome community profiles were then used for further analysis. For microbiome community analysis, microbiome profiles were analyzed in RStudio version 443 with R programming language version 4.1.2.

[0232]

[0228] It was found that the synthetic carbohydrate compositions of sCC IDs 1-4 achieved a relative enrichment in probiotic keystone genera of the human gut microbiome, while comparative glycans did not achieve such enrichment. In particular, species of Blautia, Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium were found relatively enriched. In detail, the keystone species Blautia massiliensis, Bacteroides fragilis and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum were relatively enriched. Blautia spp., in particular Blautia massiliensis, have been described as novel probiotic species, playing a keystone role in a healthy human gut microbiome, e.g. Durand et al. 2017. Anaerobe. 43: 47-55; Liu et al. 2021. Gut Microbes. 13(1): 1875796. Similarly, Bacteroides spp., in particular Bacteroides fragilis, was identified as a human gut keystone species as well as a probiotic providing anti-inflammatory effects and protection against colitis, e.g. Fisher et al. 2014. PLoS One. 9(7): e102451 ; He et al. 2023. Sci Rep. 13: 15842). Also, Bifidobacterium spp., and especially Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, have been described as keystone microorganisms with additional probiotic benefits, e.g. Alessandri et al. 2021. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 19: 1472-1487; Xia et al. 2023. Current Opinion in Food Science. 49: 100956; Chen et al. 2021. J Agric Food Chem. 69(5):1496-1512; Chen et al. 2021. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 9: 770248.

[0233]

[0229] Relative abundance of Blautia massiliensis was essentially unaffected upon incubation with sCC ID 5, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), or galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), in comparison to a control fermentation with media alone: relative Blautia massiliensis abundance upon incubation with sCC ID 5 was 2.7% reduced compared to the media control; 5.5% increased compared to media control upon incubation with FOS; and 0.5% decreased compared to media control upon incubation with GOS. In contrast, incubation with any one of sCC ID 1 , 2, 3, or 4 led to an increase in relative Blautia massiliensis abundance of 26.6%, 25.2%, 21.1%, or 36.4%, respectively, compared to media control.

[0234]

[0230] Similarly, Bacteroides fragilis was found enriched upon incubation of the donor stool samples with synthetic carbohydrate compositions of the invention, relative to media control. In comparison to incubation with sCC ID 7, incubation with sCC ID 1 led to 57-369% higher relative enrichment of Bacteroides fragilis- incubation with sCC ID 2 led to 59-268% higher relative enrichment of Bacteroides fragilis- incubation with sCC ID 3 led to 56-325% higher relative enrichment of Bacteroides fragilis- and incubation with sCC ID 4 led to 40-202% higher relative enrichment of Bacteroides fragilis.

[0235]

[0231] Also the probiotic keystone species Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum was found enriched upon incubation with synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention, over incubation with media alone. In detail, compared to incubation with sCC ID 7, incubation with sCC ID 1 led to 100-1244% higher relative enrichment of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- incubation with sCC ID 2 led to 512-2282% higher relative enrichment of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- incubation with sCC ID 3 led to 5-647% higher relative enrichment of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum- and incubation with sCC ID 4 led to 342-2223% higher relative enrichment of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum.

[0236] Example 8

[0237]

[0232] Fermentations as described in Example 2 were performed with either 12.9 g / L sCC ID 2.6 or with 64.5 g / L sCC ID 2.6. As shown in Figure 1 , both, enrichment of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum abundance and GABA production were increased correlatively upon incubation with the synthetic carbohydrate composition, compared to incubation with media alone. With increasing sCC concentration also B. pseudocatenulatum abundance and GABA production increased.

[0238] Example 9

[0239]

[0233] Application of the synthetic carbohydrate compositions according to the invention as food ingredients was exemplified by use of the sCCs in exemplary food products.

[0240]

[0234] Yogurt products were prepared by mixing 5-15 g of any one of sCC ID 1-4 and 2.1-2.6 with milk (2% fat), 5 g of non-fat dry milk powder, diluted to a final volume of 200-250 mL. The thus obtained mixtures were inoculated with yogurt bacteria culture (e.g. Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) and subjected to fermentation for approximately 24 h.

[0241]

[0235] Breakfast cereal products were prepared by mixing 30 g serving of breakfast cereal with an alcoholic mixture comprising either 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 g of any one of sCC ID 1-4 and 2.1-2.6. The thus obtained mixture was mixed gently until a uniform coating of the breakfast cereals was achieved. Thereafter, residual alcohol was removed by evaporation.

[0242]

[0236] Chocolate chip cookies were prepared essentially as described in the recipe for "Original Nestle® Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookies". 220-270 g all purpose flour was mixed with 6 g baking soda and 5.7 g salt. 130-230 g softened butter was mixed with 100-150 g granulated sugar, 100-150 g brown sugar, and 4.2 g vanilla extract until creamy, followed by addition of two large eggs. The flour mixture was added gradually, 300-340 g chocolate chips, 100-130 g chopped nuts, and 50 - 120 g of any one of sCC ID 1-4 and 2.1-2.6 were added while stirring. The obtained cookie dough was baked until golden brown.

[0243]

[0237] Chocolate brownie products were prepared from 50 g brown sugar, 50 g shortening, 20- 30 g butter, 15-20 g cocoa, 6 g vanilla, 50-70 g cake flour, 40-50 g plant oil (e.g. canola oil), 40- 45 g chocolate chips, 25-35 g chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts), optionally 30 g raisins, 8 g baking powder, and 20-60 g of any one of sCC ID 1-4 and 2.1-2.6.

[0244] Example 10

[0245]

[0238] Freeze drying of synthetic carbohydrate compositions as produced in Example 1 or 3 was conducted by applying either of two pre-freezing conditions: -40 °C or in liquid nitrogen (approximately -196 °C). A thin layer of less than 1 cm of the sCC syrup as obtained after production was stored over night at either -40 °C or in liquid nitrogen. Lyophilization settings were 0.001 mbar, -85 °C, 1-2 days. Lyophilized product was subjected to dry milling with centrifugal mill: 6000 rpm, 0.2 mm sieve mesh, 12 teeth rotor. A fine powder was obtained, which without the addition of any further additives or excipients converted back to syrup upon incubation at 40 °C, 75% relative humidity.

[0246]

[0239] Absorption on carrier was performed by weighing carrier in a stainless-steel container, pre-heated to 90 °C. Syrup of sCC as produced in Example 1 or 3 was pre-heated at 70-90 °C for at least 1 h, then weighed in a glass beaker pre-heated at 70-90 °C. Pre-heated carrier was introduced into the pre-heated syrup in a vibratory feeder. Carrier was fed under constant mixing until homogeneous mixture was obtained. Carrier materials based on rice husks, mixtures of rice husks and banana flour, calcium carbonate and / or calcium phosphate, amorphous silica or, diatomaceous earth, granulated mannitol were successfully tested. Further addition of banana flour and / or of at least 1% talc (preferably 0.5-1 wt%) was found to improve flowability and to prevent aggregate formation or caking.

[0240] In additional carrier-based formulations, sCC syrups as produced in Example 3 were varied in their solids content. It was surprisingly found that loading capacity of a carrier based on rice hulls (Nu-FLOW®, RIBUS Inc.) improved with higher solids content, in particular, at 87.4 Brix up to 45% loading was achieved.

Claims

Claims1. Synthetic carbohydrate composition for (i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; for (ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; and / or for (iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma- aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two carbohydrate fractions having different degrees of polymerization (DP); wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least a first carbohydrate fraction having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2; and at least a second carbohydrate fraction having a DP of more than 2; wherein a maximum DP of the at least two carbohydrate fractions is 100, preferably 70, more preferably 50; and wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least two glycosidic linkage types indigestible by human enzymes.

2. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two glycosidic linkage types are selected from alpha-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,2) glycosidic linkage, beta-(1 ,3) glycosidic linkage, and beta-(1 ,6) glycosidic linkage.

3. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least 50% (e.g. at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% etc.) of the synthetic carbohydrate composition is amylase-resistant.

4. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the at least first fraction; preferably at least 5 wt%; and / or wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 50 wt% (e.g. at most 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the at least first fraction; preferably at most 30 wt%.

5. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 40, 35, 40, 45, 50 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction; preferably at least 20 wt%; and / or wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 90 wt% (e.g. at most 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35 wt% etc.) of the at least second fraction.

6. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition further comprises a carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at least 1 wt%, (e.g. at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 wt% etc.) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3; and / or preferably wherein the synthetic carbohydrate composition comprises at most 70 wt% (e.g. at most 70, 60, 50, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31 , 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 , 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 , 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 wt%) of the carbohydrate fraction having a DP of 3.

7. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers.

8. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is obtained or obtainable by joining of glucose monomers and xylose monomers.

9. The synthetic carbohydrate composition according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the composition is obtained or obtainable in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is lactic acid and / or citric acid.

10. A composition (e.g. nutritional composition, nutritional product, pet food, feed, food, beverage, additive for pet food, additive for feed, additive for food, additive for beverage, food product, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, medical nutrition product, nutrition improvement product, medicament, drug, therapeutic agent, formulation, unit-dosage form, powder, tablet, pill, capsule, gel capsule etc.) comprising the synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of the preceding claims; and at least one further component (e.g. carbon source, fat source, one or more amino acids, one or more vitamins, one or more carotenoids, carrier, amorphous silica, silicone dioxide, diatomaceous earth, diatomite, rice fiber carrier, Psyllium fiber carrier, oat fiber carrier, banana flour, calcium carbonate and / or calcium phosphate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose etc.).

11. A method for manufacturing a composition according to claim 10, e.g. for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9; and(b) combining the synthetic carbohydrate composition of step (a) with at least one further component suitable for manufacturing a food product, or a food ingredient, or a dietary supplement.

12. Method for improving wellbeing of an individual, in particular for enhancing cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders; the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9, or a composition according to claim 10;(b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and(c) improving wellbeing of the individual, in particular enhancing cognitive function (e.g. enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders of the individual.

13. Method for increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9, or a composition according to claim 10, to the individual;(b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbial community; and(c) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by the microbial community.

14. Method for increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual; the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9, or a composition according to claim 10, to the individual;(b) contacting the synthetic carbohydrate composition, or the composition, with a microbiome of the individual; and(c) increasing the level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of the individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

15. Use of a synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9, or a composition according to claim 10, for(i) improving wellbeing, in particular for enhancing cognitive function (e.g. for supporting normal cognitive function; for enhancing cognitive function, which cognitive function has been reduced by stress and / or disease), reducing anxiety, reducing brain fog, reducing stress, reducing depression and / or reducing fear disorders;(ii) increasing production of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, by a microbial community; and / or(iii) increasing a level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid, in the body of an individual, in particular in the gastrointestinal tract, blood and / or brain of the individual.

16. Synthetic carbohydrate composition according to any one of claims 1-9, or composition according to claim 10, for use in treatment, amelioration, prevention and / or prophylaxis of one or more disorder(s); preferably wherein the one or more discorder(s) is / are associated with an imbalanced level of a metabolite selected from gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and serotonin, preferably gamma-aminobutyric acid; wherein the one or more disorders are selected from the group of reduced cognitive function, anxiety, brain fog, stress, depression, and fear disorder.

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