Experts validate NutriLeads’ precision prebiotic BeniCaros’ unique gut microbiota benefits

04 Apr 2024 --- A new study suggests that NutriLeads’ fermentation mechanisms enable its precision prebiotic BeniCaros to increase the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Moreover, the prebiotic can accomplisht this regardless of individual differences in the composition.

“The study results provide further evidence on how complex prebiotic fibers, such as BeniCaros, can reliably deliver health benefits,” says Joana Carneiro, Ph.D., NutriLeads chief executive officer. “These findings are especially interesting for manufacturers of prebiotic health products aiming to deliver more effective propositions with predictable, consistent gut health benefits.”

The study confirms that prebiotic fiber structure matters when it comes to gut health outcomes. The prebiotic fiber BeniCaros, identified as rhamnogalacturonan-I (carrot RG-I or cRG-I), is sourced from upcycled carrot pomace.

The study authors note that during fermentation, the complex polysaccharide’s side chains are preferentially degraded over the cRG-I chain backbone, consistently stimulating the beneficial bifidobacteria and metabolites known to contribute to gut health.

Structure dependent fermentation 
The in vitro gut model study published in Food Hydrocolloids sets out to build upon previous research showing the varying impact of prebiotic fibers on the gut microbiota dependent on the complexity of the fiber itself and an individual’s gut microbiota. 

BeniCaros consistently increases beneficial bacteria in the gut despite differences in microbiota composition.It finds that BeniCaros — a complex and a rather high specificity fiber — consistently has a beneficial impact despite initial differences in participants’ gut microbiota composition.

To explain BeniCaros’ consistent results, the study explores the structural changes of cRG-I during fermentation and its functional impact in the gut by employing the in vitro intestinal model M-SHIME. The model was adapted to investigate, in parallel, the fermentation kinetics of BeniCaros in the gut microbiota of four healthy donors. 

The findings reveal that the cRG-I molecular structure comprises a main backbone of repeating units of galacturonic acid and rhamnose. The naturally occurring deoxy sugar rhamnose carries side chains of different composition and complexity. Arabinan and galactan side chains were found to be the most abundant. 

Consistent results
Despite its complex structure, BeniCaros was shown to undergo rapid fermentation in the proximal colon compartment by a consortium of gut microorganisms.

Despite the initial fermentation pattern variation among donors, after daily supplementation of cRG-I- for three weeks, the final fermentation characteristics became consistent, increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids.

Dr. Ruud Albers, NutriLeads’ founder and one of the co-authors, emphasizes that “while different gut bacteria consortia may participate in the successive steps of cRG-I hydrolysis, repeated exposure to this high specificity fiber similarly stimulated beneficial bacteria and metabolites known to contribute to the positive effect on gut health across all donors.”  

 Last year, BeniCaros was named the best health innovation product for plant-based innovation at the Plant-Based World Expo in New York City, US.

Just a few months after BeniCaros received the “best product” title, NutriLeads landed a €4.5 million (US$4.9 million) investment from dsm-firmenich aiming to facilitate the commercialization of the precision prebiotic fiber. 

By Milana Nikolova