Exploring the science behind strain synergy in next-gen probiotic solutions

28 Jun 2024 --- Continuing our conversation with functional ingredient specialists, Nutrition Insight catches up with AB-Biotics, Nutrition21, Bioiberica and Gencor for insights about tailoring specific strains and genomes for gut health. Meanwhile, strides are being made to perfect ingredients for joint and women’s health and ingestible skin and hair beauty.  

AB-Biotics develops probiotic solutions targeting key therapeutic areas such as women’s, cardiometabolic and digestive health through gut modulation. Women’s health is a significant focus for the company, featured in its Gyntima brand to support hormonal balance, urinary tract health and menopause symptoms. 

“One of our greatest strengths is our ability to look further than just siloed strains and investigate mechanisms of actions and synergies between strains to create new formulations. Probiotic strains should be individually studied in the lab to ensure efficacy and safety when combined,” Miquel Bonachera, co-founder at AB-Biotics, tells us. 

Strains and physical gains
The high prevalence of digestive disorders drives AB-Biotics’ prioritization of the category. It specifically developed the i3.1 probiotic featuring P. acidilactici KABP 021, L. plantarum KABP 022 and L. plantarum KABP 023 to alleviate abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and flatulence.  

Bonachera notes: “It also has the potential to enhance mood and productivity, alleviate IBS symptoms and mitigate food intolerance. We’ve recently focused our innovation on producing a probiotic solution that offers atheroprotective benefits by supporting cardiovascular health through the regulation of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.”

The blend of strains L. plantarum KABP-011, L. plantarum KABP-012 and L. plantarum KABP-013, known as AB-Life, demonstrated support for healthy cholesterol levels in a recent study, maintaining low-density lipoprotein particle size and apolipoproteins.Women’s health has become a prominent area of supplement R&D and formulation.

“Selecting the correct probiotics strains to target specific health areas can be a complex process, but we ensure selections are based on extensive research and clinical testing. Strains are initially collected from natural sources such as human milk and fermented milk products.”

Gencor observes that consumers are increasingly searching for functional ingredients to support their busy lifestyles. “They want foods and beverages that are backed by science to support overall health and well-being,” says Maggie McNamara, VP of marketing at Gencor.

“Common health benefits include gut health, energy, stress relief, sleep and relaxation, immune support and cognitive function. Athletic consumers focus on functional products to support endurance and performance, boost testosterone, strength and muscle mass, aid recovery and support improved body composition.”

 Consumers want ease and convenience from their products and focus on efficacy and taste. They would also like to consume nutrient-enriched items that cater to their health goals.

“In addition to formal research, our ingredients undergo rigorous scientific analysis with our state-of-the-art testing equipment under GLP-certified conditions,” McNamara notes.

Claiming functional benefits
Bonachera points out that a clinical study should list the correct dosage of the probiotic to claim functional benefits such as “supports digestive health” on a product label. 

“Choosing a delivery format that protects the stability of the ingredients in the formulation and ensures the correct dosage is delivered every time is an essential element of combining functional ingredients with other ingredients.”

Modern consumers protect their health proactively, paying closer attention to the food and nutrients they consume. This has significantly increased the focus on probiotics and their benefits in creating a balanced diet and good health.

Bonachera notes: “This is reflected in the recent growth in the probiotic supplements market, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.53% expected until 2029. We’re also seeing more consumers opting for solutions that claim to be natural and clean, further driving this growth.”  

Consumers are mainly interested in convenient, scientifically endorsed, natural nutrition products. AB Biotics’ probiotics are allergen-free and clinically tested based on extensive research, giving manufacturers and consumers the peace of mind they seek in a nutritional supplement.Functional ingredients are being incorporated into joint health formulations.

“What’s more, our probiotic strains can be delivered in a variety of different formats, allowing manufacturers to develop products most suitable for their audience,” she says. 

Bioiberica’s hyaluronic acid (HA) matrix ingredients, Dermial and Mobilee, are functional food innovation solutions. “They bring even more benefits than the pure molecule because they are made up of a high concentration of HA, polysaccharides and collagen,” says Daniel Martinez-Puig, R&D manager at Bioiberica.

“Interestingly, 42% of joint health and 18% of beauty food and beverage products launched between 2018 and 2022 featured collagen or hyaluronic acid. This suggests an appetite for collagen and HA ingredients among health-seeking shoppers.” 

Two key factors to consider when combining functional ingredients are stability and interaction. Adding active ingredients to food formats is complex, with variables like pH, temperature, oxygen and light — all potential barriers to stability and efficacy. 

Gencor and its partners offer numerous functional ingredients, including HydroCurc, Levagen+, ActivAMP, Slimaluma, CalMaluma, Tesnor, Libifem and HairAge. Each ingredient is readily incorporated into various delivery formats, flavor-masked and clinically validated for its health benefits.

“HydroCurc is a highly bioavailable curcumin offering benefits for cognitive function, joint health, exercise recovery, immune support, heart health and beauty applications. It is currently available in chocolates, gummies, powders, RTDs and sachets,” says McNamara.

Ingredient interactions
Martinez-Puiz notes that manufacturers must manage possible interactions between active ingredients if multiple functional solutions are included in the same formulation. However, advancing technology and food science help brands overcome these barriers. 

“We have established validated analytical methods to evaluate our ingredients in multiple food matrices. This is critical if formulators want to introduce functional ingredients into food formats but more complex with biologically-derived ingredients like the HA matrix and native type II collagen,” he explains.

“We have explored the efficacy of Mobilee in yogurt applications and found that it exhibits good thermal stability and resistance to storage conditions. Combining multiple functional ingredients in one product may also offer advantages in terms of efficacy.” 

McNamara outlines that Levagen+ is a palmitoylethanolamide ingredient offering superior absorption with a high active load (90%). “It is clinically validated to support joint health, exercise recovery, cognitive function, immune support, mood, sleep and nutricosmetic benefits. It is currently offered in functional foods and beverages like chocolates, chews, RTDs, powders and more.”

Bolstering beauty-from-withinBeauty-from-within is a consumer trend that is often addressed through dietary supplements.
Nutrition21’s Lustriva and Chromax align with several consumer trends, such as beauty-from-within. “Our brand partners can rely on our ingredient solutions as they develop products that not only appeal to what consumers need but also trust that our clinically studied ingredients can deliver the benefits they are searching for,” says Jordan Miller, VP of marketing, Nutrition21.  

Lustriva is a blend of bonded arginine silicate and magnesium biotinate, delivering bioavailable silicon and biotin forms. Miller notes: “A clinical study demonstrated Lustriva can support existing hair growth in as few as three weeks, providing a fuller and thicker look, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles in twelve weeks.”

Chromax is a clinically tested form of chromium picolinate, ideal for supplements supporting metabolic health and weight management. It supports healthy carbohydrate and glucose metabolism and helps manage cravings and appetite.

“During a time when there is renewed consumer focus on weight loss solutions, Chromax is supported by multiple studies demonstrating it can help users maintain lean muscle mass when incorporated into a diet and exercise regimen,” Miller underscores.

 Getting the formula right
Lustriva supports hair follicles’ health and growth by enhancing cellular signals and promoting the active growth phase, anagen. The silicon and biotin combination regulates the activity of enzymes that form and preserve proteins that enhance the skin’s integrity.   

Chromax is a USP-grade ingredient that can easily be incorporated into dietary supplements, nutritional bars, ready-to-drink beverages, powders, tablets, capsules, gummies and gels. It can also be used in functional health products that support weight management, metabolic health and satiety benefits.

 Miller notes: “The superiority of Chromax over other forms of chromium can be seen in its stable chemical structure and superior absorption profile. Chromax is suited for various formulations that target wellness concerns, including metabolic health and maintaining muscle mass during healthy weight management.”

Brands that want to develop new products can use the product to formulate dietary supplements with substantiated claims such as “maintaining muscle mass” while losing weight, “improves body composition”, “supports healthy blood sugar levels by promoting healthy insulin levels” and “manages carb cravings and appetite”.

By Inga de Jong