2'-Fucosyllactose Oligosaccharide Infant Formula Immune Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current infant formulas lack an optimal composition of non-digestible oligosaccharides similar to those in human milk, making it difficult to replicate the immune-protective benefits of breast milk, particularly in preventing viral infections like rotavirus diarrhea.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising 2'-fucosyllactose, a non-digestible oligosaccharide present in human milk, is developed, which increases Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, combined with other non-digestible oligosaccharides like beta-galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides to stimulate beneficial gut bacteria, thereby enhancing immune defense against viral infections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human milk is used as infant nutrition, then immune protection against viral infections is improved, but it is not always possible or desirable to breast feed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the specific immunoprotective component 2'-fucosyllactose from human milk and formulates it as a standalone supplement in infant formula. This allows the immune-protective benefit to be isolated and delivered without requiring actual breast milk or breastfeeding, resolving the contradiction between obtaining immune protection and the inability or undesirability to breastfeed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent synthesizes 2'-fucosyllactose, a specific oligosaccharide structure found in human milk, and incorporates it into infant formula to replicate the immunoprotective properties of breast milk. This copying of the active component allows formula-fed infants to receive the same immune benefits as breastfed infants, resolving the contradiction between feeding options and immune protection.
2Reliability
If infant formula uses plant-derived prebiotics like inulin and galacturonic acid oligosaccharide, then some immune stimulation is achieved, but the composition does not optimally replicate human milk's immune-protective benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the specific oligosaccharide parameter from generic plant-derived prebiotics (inulin, galacturonic acid oligosaccharide) to the specific human milk oligosaccharide 2'-fucosyllactose. This parameter change achieves optimal replication of human milk's immune-protective composition, resolving the contradiction between achieving immune stimulation and achieving composition accuracy.
3Reliability
If 2'-fucosyllactose is added to infant formula, then NK cell activity is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the specific active component 2'-fucosyllactose from the complex mixture of human milk oligosaccharides. This extraction allows the substance to be produced through chemical synthesis or purification processes and added to infant formula as a defined ingredient, making manufacturing feasible while maintaining the immune defense capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns nutritional compositions with 2'-fucosyllactose for use in treating and/or preventing viral diarrhoea. The composition is suitable for infants.