Infant nutrition collaboration: BASF and UC Davis to tap into gut-brain axis

26 Jul 2018 --- Further benefits of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) for infant formula hoped to be unlocked through a new BASF and the University of California Davis (UC Davis) collaboration. The long-term objective of the strategic partnership is to tap into the gut-brain axis by developing and validating second-generation HMO molecules as potent bioactive compounds. 

The news comes after BASF’s announcement of plans to launch 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) HMO by early 2019 through its human nutrition brand, Newtrition. Now, the company is taking steps to expand its scientific and application know-how in the area of HMOs.

“This collaboration is an essential cornerstone of our strategic initiative to become a leading science-based player in the fields of HMO and microbiome,” says Stefan Rüdenauer, Director of Development and Scientific Marketing Human Nutrition, BASF.

Foods for Health Institute at UC Davis will use their collective expertise to reveal new applications for HMOs. BASF’s contributions to the partnership include its proficiency in fermentation products and the development of human nutrition solutions, as well as project funding.

“We are excited to partner with BASF to unlock novel HMO functionalities,” adds Professor Barile. “This project will employ a range of microbiological and physiological studies employing cutting-edge glycomics and metagenomics tools to explore how HMOs interact with the human host and the microbes within them.”

“2‘-fucosyllactose (2‘-FL) is our first product in the group of HMOs. Development work and collaborations have already started to unlock new science and application potential in HMO functionalities. Apart from 2’FL, we also see growing market potential in omega 3 during early life. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega 3 fatty acid that is an integral component of cell membranes and as such, is involved in normal cell functionality especially in the retina and the brain of a child,” Tina Low, Global Business Management Human Nutrition at BASF, tells NutritionInsight.

HMO in infant nutrition
The World Health Organization (WHO) solidly recommends breastfeeding for infants. However, there are situations – medical, situational or personal – that necessitate good quality breast milk substitutes (BMS), such as formulas. In a bid to produce a formula that is closest in composition to human breast milk, manufacturers have innovated through R&D and one of the vital discoveries in recent years was HMOs.

“The development of HMOs is a breakthrough in the nutritional improvement of infant formulas. 2’-fucosyllactose will open up new opportunities to strengthen a child’s health beginning with infancy and even beyond that,” says François Scheffler, Senior Vice President, BASF Human Nutrition. 

HMO ingredients have featured prominently in the news during the first half of this year. FrieslandCampina Domo’s HMO ingredient was certified for use in infant formula in both European and US markets. DuPont Nutrition & Health’s CARE4U HMO became Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in infant and toddler formula following a “No Objection” letter from the US Food and Drug Administration. The companies also gained regulatory approval for the ingredient in the European market. 

Rüdenauer further tells NutritionInsight that “BASF is expanding in this field and is constantly evaluating options for strategic collaborations​​​​​​​" for the future.