Human Milk Oligosaccharide Composition for Gut pH and BCAA Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infant formulas lack human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), leading to higher levels of branched chain fatty acids and imbalances in the intestinal microenvironment, which can affect infant health and metabolic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating specific HMOs such as 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), 3′-sialyl lactose (3-SL), and lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) into infant formula and other food products to function as prebiotics, reducing pH, producing beneficial gases, and regulating short chain fatty acid production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If infant formula powder uses cow's milk as raw material, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the formula lacks human milk oligosaccharides leading to higher branched chain fatty acids and imbalanced intestinal microenvironment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces human milk oligosaccharides as an intermediary substance added to cow's milk-based infant formula. These HMOs act as prebiotics that mediate the intestinal microenvironment by being fermented by beneficial bacteria to produce short chain fatty acids, thereby reducing harmful branched chain fatty acids without requiring a complete switch to human milk raw material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the infant formula by adding specific types and concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides (such as 2'-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose, 3'-sialyl lactose, and lacto-N-tetraose). This parameter change transforms the formula's effect on the intestinal microenvironment, shifting it from promoting protein fermentation to promoting carbohydrate fermentation with beneficial outcomes
2Device complexity
If infant formula powder lacks human milk oligosaccharides, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but intestinal microenvironment health deteriorates with higher protein fermentation products
Solution Approach 1:
Human milk oligosaccharides serve as an intermediary carbohydrate source that competes with proteins for bacterial fermentation. By introducing HMOs, the patent creates a beneficial fermentation pathway that produces short chain fatty acids instead of allowing uncontrolled protein fermentation, thereby reducing harmful products like ammonia, phenol, and p-cresol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of available carbohydrates in the formula into a benefit by using human milk oligosaccharides as the preferred substrate for beneficial bacteria. This shifts the fermentation process from harmful protein breakdown to beneficial carbohydrate metabolism, producing useful short chain fatty acids that regulate the intestinal environment
3Reliability
If human milk oligosaccharides are added to infant formula, then intestinal microenvironment health is improved through prebiotic effects, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for HMO addition (concentration levels and composition ratios) to achieve the desired prebiotic effect while controlling manufacturing complexity. By defining specific parameters such as the types and amounts of HMOs to be added, the patent provides clear guidance for production while maintaining intestinal health benefits
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
These HMOs significantly improve the intestinal microenvironment by reducing harmful branched chain fatty acids, maintaining pH balance, and promoting beneficial short chain fatty acids, thus enhancing overall health.
Implementation Method 1
Intestinal flora can produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA), mainly including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid etc., by fermenting carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and the like
Implementation Method 2
SCFA produced by the fermentation of the intestinal flora can reduce the intestinal pH, thereby increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides human milk oligosaccharide for improving the health of intestinal microenvironment and the use thereof. Specifically, the present disclosure provides the use of human milk oligosaccharide, especially the fucosyl-based oligosaccharide 2′-FL or 3-FL in the preparation of a food for improving the health of the intestinal microenvironment, wherein the improving the health of the intestinal microenvironment includes: functioning as prebiotics in the intestinal system that are used by intestinal flora to produce gas, lowering pH to maintain the health of the intestinal microenvironment, and/or reducing branched chain fatty acids such as isobutyric acid and/or isovaleric acid. The human milk oligosaccharide of the present disclosure is used to be added into infant foods (including infant formula powder, supplementary food, and nutritional supplements), and nutritional supplements or foods for children at the age of 3 years or older, adolescents and adults, and has broad application prospects.