Oligosaccharide Blend for Infant Microbiota and Barrier Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for infant and young child formulas that further improve the intestinal microbiota by enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing pathogenic bacteria and improving intestinal barrier function.
Innovation Solution
A nutritional composition comprising a specific mixture of non-digestible oligosaccharides, including beta-galacto-oligosaccharides (bGOS) and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS), combined with a specific combination of 5 human milk oligosaccharides (2′-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3′-sialyllactose, and 6′-sialyllactose) that synergistically increase bifidobacteria and decrease Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae, thereby improving intestinal microbiota and barrier resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infant formulas contain only standard prebiotics (GOS/lcFOS), then the formulation is simple and cost-effective, but the ability to improve intestinal microbiota and strengthen intestinal barrier function is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two types of oligosaccharides with different functions: GOS/lcFOS (which stimulate bifidobacteria growth) and HMOs (which strengthen intestinal barrier function). This merging of different prebiotic components creates a synergistic effect that simultaneously improves microbiota composition and barrier function, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite prebiotic mixture comprising both GOS/lcFOS and HMOs in specific proportions. This composite material approach allows the formulation to leverage the complementary benefits of different oligosaccharide types, achieving enhanced intestinal barrier function while maintaining a manageable formulation complexity through defined composition ranges.
2Reliability
If infant formulas contain only GOS and lcFOS, then the formulation is simple, but the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduction of pathogenic bacteria is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bifidobacteria-stimulating effect of GOS/lcFOS with the pathogen-inhibiting and barrier-enhancing effects of HMOs. This combination creates a synergistic prebiotic system that more effectively improves overall intestinal microbiota balance and reduces pathogenic bacteria compared to either component alone.
3Reliability
If HMOs are added to prebiotic mixtures, then intestinal barrier function is enhanced, but the formulation complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific concentration ranges for HMOs (0.1-5 g/L) and GOS/lcFOS (0.5-5 g/L) to optimize the balance between efficacy and manufacturability. By establishing clear parameter boundaries, the invention makes it easier for manufacturers to implement the enhanced formulation without excessive complexity, while still achieving improved intestinal barrier resistance.
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 bGOS, lcFOS, and 5 HMOs synergistically enhances the growth of beneficial bacteria and strengthens the intestinal barrier, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders such as microbial dysbiosis, infections, and inflammation.
Implementation Method 1
Employing an in vitro fermentation model using infant faecal samples, the inventors surprisingly found that a mixture of non-digestible oligosaccharides consisting of a combination of 5 specific human milk oligosaccharides (5 HMOs), beta-galacto-oligosaccharides (bGOS) and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS), synergistically increased the amount of bifidobacteria and synergistically decreased the Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns nutritional compositions comprising a mixture of non-digestible oligosaccharides consisting of a combination of 5 specific human milk oligosaccharides, beta-galacto-oligosaccharides and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS). The nutritional compositions are of benefit for improving intestinal microbiota.