“Next-generation” infant formula: Bunge Loders Croklaan launches Betapol Plus at Fi Europe 2019

05 Dec 2019 --- Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC) has unveiled a “next-generation” infant formula product at Fi Europe 2019, ongoing in Paris, France, this week. Betapol Plus, which received the Fi Europe 2019 Innovation Award for Functional Innovation, is marketed as a premium quality oleic-palmitic-oleic (OPO) lipid product for infant formula. It is the most advanced OPO product of its kind and delivers on BLC’s aim to provide optimal solutions for modern-day infant nutrition, according to the company. Reporting live from the Fi Europe show floor, NutritionInsight speaks with Dr. Emiliano Rial Verde, Vice President Nutrition for BLC, who explained the hurdles the company overcame to achieve this advanced lipid profile.

OPO is a uniquely structured lipid naturally present in breast milk. Dr. Verde says, “Research has shown that lipids provide most of the energy from infant formula and we know that based on the structure of lipids, they are the key components for a baby’s digestive health.” The Betapol Plus blend for infant formula offers a 60 percent OPO – also known as SN-2 palmitate – level, which is the highest available on the market and up to 50 percent higher than current products. 

The new solution is closer to the levels in mother’s milk fat than any offering available, BLC says. Benefits of Betapol Plus for babies include improved energy intake, increased bone mineral density, reduced constipation, healthy gut bacteria, less crying and better sleep.

Hurdles in scaling up production
As lipids are essential for nutrient requirements and contribute to almost half of the baby’s energy intake, the correct lipid structure is key for proper digestion and absorption. OPO is naturally present in mother’s milk, with 60 to 75 percent palmitic acid levels in the middle “SN-2” position and oleic acid in the outer “SN-1” and “SN-3” positions. This OPO lipid structure allows babies to absorb more nutrients.

credits: Bunge Loders CroklaanThe innovative launch, however, does not come without formulation hurdles, yet BLC is constantly looking to optimize the manufacturing process. Dr. Verde explains that “the trouble is not coming up with a new infant formula product, as human breast milk is the reference for us, for what needs to be in infant formula.”

“The challenge is that although we can produce anything we want in terms of lipid structure in a lab environment, to produce these lipids on an industrial scale is very different. This all-natural process is an enzymatic process and as any biological process, it has a certain degree of variability. It takes six to seven years of repeating the same process to achieve the levels of accuracy in production that we have applied to our final product,” he says.

Dr. Verde also says that to achieve a high OPO concentration is a trial and error process and it can be difficult to control on an industrial scale. 

“Let’s start by assuming that the fatty acid profile we use is similar to mother’s milk and is very strictly specified to match the baby’s requirements. We don’t just use Betapol - we integrate a combination of Betapol base and oils to reach the right fatty acid profile. Therefore, we don’t need to reach a 60 percent level of OPO – we need to have a Betapol base concentrate with 70 or higher percent of OPO, after which we add the oils to complement the lipid profile. This is good for the baby. In the lab, we have been able to push to 80 to 85 percent or higher but at an industrial scale that is more difficult,” he further explains. 

Dr. Verde notes that there is a strong need in the infant formula industry to get as close as possible to the composition and benefits of mother’s milk, ensuring parents have the best alternative available when breastfeeding is not possible. “With Betapol Plus, we are providing an option that is closest to nature. It adds significant value to infant formula brands where premium choices are in high demand and to the growing specialty infant formula market addressing diverse dietary needs.”

 Betapol Plus is marketed as a premium quality oleic-palmitic-oleic (OPO) lipid product for infant formula.According to the company, the science behind Betapol Plus is backed by clinical studies, scientific research programs and established relationships with key infant nutrition authorities in Europe. 

“We all agree that breastfeeding is important for infant nutrition and bonding,” notes Dr. Wiola Mi, Global Human Nutrition Science Lead for Betapol. “But when breastfeeding is not an option, choosing the best infant formula, with the best evidence-backed ingredients, is key for babies' growth and development.”

Building on the OPO legacy
Until now, no ingredient supplier could provide an SN-2 palmitate level that surpassed 40 to 45 percent and most commercial infant formulas have mainly Palmitic-Oleic-Palmitic (POP) fats. Not only do the levels of OPO or SN-2 palmitate in mother’s milk range from 60 percent to 75 percent of total lipids, palmitic acid is also more favorably absorbed in the OPO structure rather than in the POP structure. Furthermore, clinical evidence shows a dose-dependent response when OPO or SN-2 palmitate levels are greater than 40 percent, as levels above this threshold show increased calcium and lipid absorption, BLC notes.

credits: Bunge Loders CroklaanThirty years ago, BLC first invented OPO, known as Betapol, which quickly became the recognized standard for infant milk formula worldwide. Betapol was the very first enzymatically processed fat blend bringing infant milk formula closer to nature, by mimicking the lipid structure of mother’s milk. In 2019, BLC further strengthened its dedication to nutrition innovation by launching a global Nutrition Business Unit focused on delivering high-quality, innovative solutions in infant, sports and medical nutrition.

“This new Betapol product is definitely a milestone in our lipid solutions innovation, but not the end,” says Dr. Verde. “Taking advantage of our 30-year experience in specialty lipids for infant nutrition, we are continuously studying the composition and structure of human breast milk to provide customers and consumers with products that are closer to nature,” he concludes.

By Kristiana Lalou, with additional reporting from Gaynor Selby in Paris