NZMP and Sun Genomics investigate personalized probiotic potential of Floré supplement

12 Nov 2021 --- NZMP, the ingredients business of dairy giant Fonterra, and probiotic brand Sun Genomics are conducting consumer studies on the probiotic strains LactoB HN001 and BifidoB HN019. Sun Genomics’ personalized supplement brand Floré includes the NZMP strains in their formulation for their ability to target gut health and immunity.

“This consumer research we are conducting with SunGenomics allows the consumer to go about their daily routine and report back what they are feeling and observing,” Victoria Lam, senior marketing manager, active living, NZMP tells NutritionInsight.

“This work also opens up opportunities to explore potential new formulations together, which reflects our broader efforts in addressing health benefits across physical, mental and inside-out wellness,” says Neal Gidvani, COO of Sun Genomics.

Cheddar cheese-derived probiotic
NZMP BifidoB HN019 and LactoB HN001 are probiotic strains that Fonterra isolated from yogurt and New Zealand cheddar cheese cultures, respectively, explains Lam.

“The BifidoB HN019 improves gut health by supporting gut cell junctions against the anti-barrier effects of pathogens, meaning it helps to keep the gut lining healthy to stop ‘bad things’ entering the bloodstream,” she details.

Additionally, BifidoB HN019 improves constipation by decreasing intestinal transit time and promoting gut motility. It also reduces inflammation associated with certain infections and improves iron availability, she continues.

Meanwhile, the LactoB HN001 improves gut health by supporting gut integrity and barrier functions, and it improves immune biomarkers associated with pathogen protection, reducing levels of specific gut pathogens.Ninety percent of the body’s gut microbiome is unique, indicating the need for personalization to result in effective changes.

“Floré is currently available in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, but Sun Genomics will be expanding into other countries, including Switzerland shortly,” says Gidvani.

Investigating proprietary probiotic strains
NZMP was chosen – due to its experience in probiotic research – to supply Sun Genomics with both of their BifidoB HN019 and LactoB HN001 probiotic strains necessary to create this personalized probiotic for consumers.

Sun Genomics has been using both these strains in its own product development for several years.

The inclusion of BifidoB HN001 & LactoB HN019 in Floré supplements involved validating that the strains effectively supported gut health and immunity. The current consumer studies using the Fonterra strains will explore other health benefits, including potential improvements in mental well-being.

The results from this consumer trial will offer evidence that NZMP probiotics’ benefits can “withstand being subjected to the rigors of normal consumer lifestyles” outside clinical settings.

The shift toward personalized probiotics
The attention to the gut microbiome began first with the one-size-fits-all model of supplements, details Gidvani.BifidoB HN019 and LactoB HN001 support gut health, aspects of immunity and symptoms of postnatal depression.

“However, once Sun Genomics and other companies introduced the concept of microbiome testing, customers have been clamoring to first understand the unique nature of the microbiome and now have been gravitating to the personalized probiotic model and Floré,” he remarks.

“Consumers are now armed with the knowledge that their gut microbiome is 90% unique as compared to anyone else. The unique nature of the gut microbiome means that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to gut health.”

Chris Ireland, US probiotics business manager, active lifestyle, NZMP, comments: “Working with Sun Genomics to tap into their consumer base is an innovative way to directly validate our probiotics effectiveness and build a deeper understanding of what consumers truly need.”

In previous developments, NZMP expanded its probiotics to the functional food scene in North America over the summer.

By Nicole Kerr