Latest research supports the synergistic effects of Clasado Biosciences and Probi synbiotic

26 Mar 2024 --- New research finds a synergistic effect of a synbiotic by Clasado Biosciences and Probi — combining Clasado’s prebiotic Bimuno GOS (galactooligosaccharide) with the probiotic Probi Defendum — designed to support immune health formulations. The findings indicate that each component independently promotes its distinct health benefits, acting as a complementary synbiotic. 

The combination increased lactate levels and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate by 26% when combining Bimuno GOS with Probi Defendum. Moreover, the researchers found increased Bifidobacteria — bacteria associated with gastrointestinal and immune health support. 

“The study represents an exciting development for formulators that are seeking to tap into the synbiotic market, a category that is growing at real speed, with a proven science-backed option,” Steven Riley, head of B2B and corporate marketing at Clasado Biosciences, tells Nutrition Insight. 

“The study will help pave the way and show how the biotic category can link up in developing new and innovative solutions to support health and well-being. The study is set to inspire formulators to work with ingredients like Bimuno GOS and Probi strains due to their mounting scientific evidence. Showcasing synbiotic concepts that work synergistically or complementary, without adverse impacts on tolerability, are gold standard outcomes in research.”

Specifically, Probi Defendum was able to selectively utilize Bimuno GOS for growth, which the researchers note highlights the substrate specificity for Probi’s probiotic strains — L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2. 

Clasado Biosciences will showcase the synbiotic concepts developed with Probi at the upcoming Vitafoods Europe trade show (May 14–16). 

Validated synergistic effect 
Researchers tested stool samples from five healthy donors for the study, published in the International Journal of Nutritional Sciences. The research team compared the synergistic effect of Bimuno GOS with Probi Defendum and Probi Digestis, another probiotic developed by Probi. 

They confirmed the prebiotic effects of GOS and the synbiotic effects of its combination with Probi Defendum, most notably an increased lactogenic effect. The study authors note this is beneficial as lactate can be converted to SCFA butyrate. 

Synbiotics are gaining in popularity as prebiotics help deliver the beneficial effects of probiotics.“We cannot overstate how valuable this study is to the rapidly growing synbiotic industry,” states Dr. Lucien Harthoorn, R&D director at Clasado Biosciences and lead author. “The results show, in one of the market firsts, a validated synergistic effect in a commercially available synbiotic combination.” 

He adds that the results indicate an “increased lactate and butyrate, two important gut health-promoting components associated with supporting immune health. We also explored the tolerability levels in gas production, to which both concepts performed well and indicated no issues would be experienced.” 

Immune support 
Riley explains that the primary focus of the synbiotic concept is to support immune health, which is supported by scientific research. 

“This early on in the research phase of synbiotics as a whole, it’s important not to assume other benefits until investigated further. Due to the focus on immunity, combining prebiotics and probiotics should be well-considered, with targeted and specific ingredient combinations.”

“The health advantages of this concept in immune health terms and based on research on each component include a comprehensive list such as supporting innate and adaptive immunity, supporting upper respiratory health issues and shortened duration of the common cold.”

He underscores that the combination should be selected based on the scientific evidence linked to the desired outcome to achieve the anticipated benefits. 

“If other health benefits are sought, then utilizing other combinations could be the better course of action due to their different mechanisms of action, for example, Bimuno GOS and Probi Digestis, which offers strong potential for gastrointestinal health.”

Surge in synbiotics 
Synbiotics are gaining in popularity as prebiotics help exert the beneficial effects of probiotics. According to Riley, the rate of study is steadily increasing, splitting out from the initial research into specific probiotic and prebiotic components.

“Research into synergistic opportunities is of increasing interest, which makes studies like this particularly exciting as it highlights that the capabilities are there when a carefully selected combination is chosen.” 

GOS’ prebiotic effects and the synbiotic effects of its combination with Probi Defendum help support immunity and gut health.“As far as we know in the market, the combination is one of the most comprehensively studied, with Bimuno GOS supported by 120 publications and more than 20 clinical trials, and Probi Digestis and Probi Defendum backed by over 250 publications collectively, including more than 80 clinical trials.”

In the future, he expects that one of the key focus areas will be understanding the specific synergies of the ingredients when used together rather than combining ingredients purely based on meeting a given criteria. 

Targeted health benefits 
Bimuno GOS is backed by a range of studies, including a clinical study that found a 24% reduction in the duration of respiratory illness and lower incidence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in athletes consuming the prebiotic compared to a placebo group. 

Meanwhile, interest in probiotics is also growing for various health benefits. For example, Probi Sensia has been designed to enhance cognitive function, mood, sleep and stress levels. 

Riley asserts that the synbiotic category responds to the growing demand for scientifically backed nutritional health products. 

“The study shows a great example — not only do both components in the concept have plenty of research behind them individually, but this research also further showcases that when used together, they work in harmony without concern for tolerability issues.” 

He concludes: “This enables formulators to focus on products that offer targeted health benefits, such as immune health, but also multi-health benefit products. For example, this could be a product that targets gut and immune health in one.”

By Jolanda van Hal