Sialyllactose Composition for Infant Brain Sialic Acid Uptake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infant formulas do not adequately provide sialic acid, a crucial nutrient for brain development, leading to insufficient enhancement of learning skills and memory functions in infants, particularly preterm, small for gestational age, and low birth weight infants.

Innovation Solution

A nutritional composition comprising a specific ratio of 3'-Sialyllactose and 6'-Sialyllactose (4.7:1 to 4.1:1) is administered to infants during the first 12 months after birth to increase sialic acid concentration in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, thereby enhancing learning skills and memory functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If infant formulas are designed to resemble breast milk as closely as possible, then the nutritional composition is improved, but the sialic acid concentration remains insufficient for optimal brain development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesialic acid concentrationVSAvoidbrain development support

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the sialic acid concentration parameter in infant formulas to specific ranges (0.5-2.0 g/L for term infants, 1.0-3.0 g/L for preterm infants) to optimize brain development while maintaining formula safety and acceptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining sialic acid with specific oligosaccharide structures (lacto-N-tetraose, lacto-N-neotetraose, and their sialylated forms) to create a synergistic nutritional composition that enhances sialic acid bioavailability and brain uptake

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If sialic acid is supplemented to enhance learning skills and memory function, then cognitive development is improved, but the risk of excessive intake may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecognitive development supportVSAvoidexcessive sialic acid intake

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes safe and effective sialic acid concentration ranges (0.5-2.0 g/L for term infants, 1.0-3.0 g/L for preterm infants) that optimize cognitive development while preventing excessive intake, based on physiological needs and metabolic capacity of infants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the nutritional composition is administered during the first 12 months after birth, then neurodevelopment is enhanced, but the duration of administration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneurodevelopment supportVSAvoidadministration period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by administering sialic acid during the critical early period (first 12 months) when brain development is most rapid and sensitive, establishing optimal neural structures and synaptic connections that influence brain biochemistry throughout life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3270714B1Compostion comprising siallyllactose for use in enhancing learning skills and memory function

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

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AI summary

This invention relates to the use of a nutritional composition comprising sialylated oligosaccharides for enhancing cognitive development and learning skills in mammals. The nutritional compositioncomprises 3'-Siallylactose (3'-SL) and 6'- Siallylactose (6'-SL) in a weight ratio between 10:1 and 1:10 and is specifically for use in enhancing learning skills and/or enhancing memory function in an individual by increasing the sialic acid (Neu5Ac) concentration in the brain of said individual.