Infant Formula Oligosaccharide Blend for Intestinal Barrier Maturation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infant formulas fail to adequately replicate the beneficial effects of human milk on intestinal health and immune system development, particularly in terms of intestinal barrier function and pathogen defense.

Innovation Solution

A nutritional composition combining 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and 3'-galactosyllactose (3'GL), along with dietary butyric acid, which is fermented by lactic acid-producing bacteria, to enhance intestinal barrier function and immune system response, thereby improving defense against pathogens and promoting a healthy gut microbiota.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If infant formula uses conventional composition, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but intestinal barrier function and pathogen defense are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintestinal barrier functionVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple specific oligosaccharides (2'-FL, 3'-GL, 6'-SL) with defined ratios into a composite prebiotic mixture, merging their individual benefits for intestinal barrier function, microbiota modulation, and pathogen defense into a single integrated nutritional composition that replicates human milk's protective effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite nutritional material comprising proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and specifically formulated oligosaccharide blends (including 2'-FL, 3'-GL, 6'-SL) that work synergistically to improve intestinal health and immune function, moving beyond simple ingredient lists to functionally integrated formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If infant formula includes multiple oligosaccharides, then intestinal health improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintestinal barrier maturationVSAvoidoligosaccharide composition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise compositional parameters for oligosaccharides including 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3'-galactosyllactose (3'-GL), and 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) with defined concentration ranges and ratios, transforming the manufacturing challenge into a controlled parameter specification that ensures consistent physiological effects while allowing flexible production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention copies the oligosaccharide profile found in human milk, replicating its protective functions against pathogens and its role in intestinal barrier maturation through synthesized or extracted oligosaccharide blends that mirror natural human milk composition without requiring identical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If human milk is used, then optimal intestinal maturation and immune protection are achieved, but breastfeeding is not always possible or desirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune system protectionVSAvoidfeeding option availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the key protective components from human milk—specifically oligosaccharides like 2'-FL, 3'-GL, and 6'-SL, along with selected proteins and fatty acids—into a concentrated formulation that can be delivered through formula, separating the beneficial functions from the biological matrix of human milk to enable versatile delivery options

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal infant formula composition that replicates multiple functions of human milk simultaneously: providing nutrition, supporting intestinal barrier maturation, modulating microbiota, and offering pathogen defense through incorporated oligosaccharides and bioactive compounds, making it suitable for all infants regardless of breastfeeding availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The combination of 2'FL, 3'GL, and butyric acid in the nutritional composition significantly improves intestinal barrier maturation, immune system function, and microbiota health, providing enhanced protection against infections and allergies.

Implementation Method 1

A nutritional composition combining 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and 3'-galactosyllactose (3'GL), along with dietary butyric acid, which is fermented by lactic acid-producing bacteria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3979827B1Nutritional composition comprising 2'fucosyllactose and 3'galactosyllactose
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 NV NUTRICIA
  • EP3979827B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3979827B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3979827B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention pertains to a nutritional composition for infants or young children comprising 2'fucosyllactose, and 3'galactosyllactose, and preferably dietary butyric acid.