Kaneka lands GRAS status for gut-brain axis Floradapt Brain probiotic

14 Oct 2021 --- Kaneka’s probiotic Floradapt Brain (Lactobacillus plantarum DR7) ‒ which works via the gut-brain axis ‒ has been deemed safe in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The probiotic aims to promote a healthy brain metabolism, linked to lowered symptoms of stress and anxiety, as well as the stress marker cortisol. The strain may also have immune-supporting functionality. 

“The neurochemistry of the brain is one of the most exciting new playgrounds of probiotics,” Mike Kolifrath, vice president, sales and marketing of the probiotics division at Kaneka, says.

Gut-brain axis benefits
According to the company, the self-affirmation process to qualify the product as safe has been completed and deemed by the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) panel to not be harmful under the conditions of its intended use. 

The product works by upregulating the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, says the company. This is done by driving the tryptophan metabolic pathway toward serotonin instead of the kynurenine degradation pathway.

This promotes a healthy brain metabolism, Kaneka notes, adding that by upregulating the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, there is a de-emphasis of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, which is associated with weaker immunity.

“The conclusion of the GRAS panel that Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 is GRAS under the conditions of its intended use is confirmation of the quality, safety and scientific rigor behind our proprietary DR7 strain,” Kolifrath notes.The probiotic is associated with lowering stress and anxiety.

Stress management
The importance of tryptophan-serotonin modulation could be one of several mechanisms involved in a study demonstrating that DR7 lowers symptoms of stress and anxiety and stress, as well as biomarker cortisol. 

The product, which involves upregulation of enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, can also be associated with immunosuppression, Kaneka notes.

“DR7 impacts not only brain metabolism through the serotonin pathway but also has established mechanisms for enhanced immunity,” the company adds.

Earlier this year, a study highlighted that Kaneka Nutrition Europe’s ubiquinol could reduce levels of fatigue and stress. Ubiquinol is the active form of coenzyme Q10, a micronutrient that helps cells produce energy. 

Edited by Andria Kades