Arla Foods Ingredients gears up for immunity study utilizing novel food ingredient
24 Jun 2022 --- Food research company NIZO and supplier Arla Foods Ingredients have partnered to conduct a volunteer clinical study to test the possible beneficial impact of Lacprodan OPN-10 on the adult immune system.
The trials will utilize a commercial vaccine “stressor” in order to measure how well the ingredient – based on bovine milk osteopontin – boosts immunity.
“The joint study with NIZO is the result of a determined and dedicated effort by Arla Foods Ingredients over the past 10 to 12 years,” Simon Bøge Riis, nutrition scientist, bone health and immunity, Arla Foods Ingredients, tells NutritionInsight.
“We have actively investigated the potential of OPN for human nutrition,” continues Riis. “Overall, our aim is now to test whether beneficial immunomodulatory effects of Lacprodan OPN-10 in infants are also evident in the elderly population, in which immune function naturally declines.”
The 14-week study will
Arla Foods Ingredients' version of osteopontin was recently classified as a “novel” food ingredient by the EFSA. adhere to the requirements of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and is expected to begin in early 2023.
A “novel” study
The ingredient to be studied is the first ever commercially produced analog of the human milk protein osteopontin. Osteopontin is thought to play an essential role in the development of the immune system in early infancy and to help fight against infections and pathogens. Arla Foods Ingredients' bovine whey-derived design was recently classified as a “novel” food ingredient by the EFSA.
“This validates both its safety and uniqueness,” says Riis. He further explains the product’s uniqueness is “demonstrated by clinically proven immunomodulatory and improved health outcomes in infants.”
It can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from chewable tablets to UHT drinks, he adds.
Riis further explains that one of the biggest obstacles has been a lack of data available on adult humans when it comes to bovine OPN consumption. This led Arla Foods Ingredients and Nizo to carefully consider all the details of the study, such as population, duration and dosage.
“Although it has been a challenge,” he says. “We also consider the lack of available data as a large opportunity to lay the foundation for the use of Lacprodan OPN-10 in future adult nutrition products.”
Boosting immunity in the elderly
Arla Foods Ingredients hopes the study will show its product can have substantial benefits for elderly persons’ immune systems.
EFSA has already given a positive response to Arla Foods Ingredients’ addition of Lacprodan OPN-10 to infant formula. Now the company wants to boost the immune systems of the elderly as well as the young.
With this new study, Arla Foods Ingredients hopes that NIZO will show its product can have a positive effect. “We indeed expect Lacprodan OPN-10 to play a key protective role as a natural and ideal immune-supportive ingredient for the formulation of dietary supplements or food products targeted at the growing elderly population,” says Riis.
A recently published whitepaper states that between 15% to 30% of elderly people suffer from malnutrition. That number can be as high as 60% in care facilities. It also states that malnutrition and weakened immune systems can impair an elderly person's response to the COVID-19 vaccines.
By William Bradford Nichols
