Pairing HMOs with specific probiotics: DuPont study paves way to targeted NPD for infant nutrition
14 Oct 2020 --- DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences (DuPont N&B) has demonstrated the importance of probiotic strain specificity, even within a sub-species, when related to the efficient use of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The study examined the interactions between probiotic strains and HMOs and will allow the company to develop targeted health products.
“We envision products that combine HMOs with their preferred pairing of individual strains. This would allow the creation of products that recreate the natural infant microbiota relationships, setting the stage for infant health into adulthood,” Bryan Zabel, scientist at DuPont N&B and the study’s lead author, tells NutritionInsight.
Supporting early life nutrition
Specific strains support the Early Life Nutrition segment by providing infants with the needed and sometimes missing microbes along with their preferred HMO substrate. 
Many studies have shown decreases in early microbiome diversity, especially of B. infantis in western countries. Providing this missing microbe could be essential in preventing autoimmune conditions and other health problems later in life, explains Zabel.
According to the company, several species of Bifidobacterium have been shown to use HMOs, but little work has been done to study utilization variations within the species or subspecies.
The new study examined two strains of B. infantis, a prevalent species in the guts of breastfed infants. The study found that B. infantis Bi-26 has a unique strategy to quickly utilize 2-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), 3’-FL and difucosyllactose (DFL).
The research examined interactions between probiotic strains and HMOs and will allow the company to develop targeted NPD.
This results in faster unique metabolite production and a distinct global gene transcription response compared to the type strain ATCC 15697, the reference strain for the B. infantis subspecies.
“We seek to further the research on defining the individual strain’s role within the complex system of the microbiome. It is essential to understand the numerous interactions affecting our health throughout life, which can eventually be used as a guide [for NPD],” states Zabel.
Strain behaviors
Historically, Zabel says, it has been assumed that all B. infantis strains behave in the same manner when utilizing HMOs.
“Our work is surprising in that we were able to show the basic traits of central metabolic pathways and regulatory networks can differ scientifically in such taxonomically close strains within the same niche environment.”
“Defining individual strains’ roles within the complex system of the human gut microbiome will be essential for understanding the numerous interactions affecting host health throughout life and can be used as a guide for health-promoting supplementation,” he adds.
HMOs are a complex mix of many structures that are the product of human and beneficial microbes' coevolution. Although not fully understood, the complexity of HMO types promotes microbiome diversity.
Deciphering individual relationships between key early colonizing bacterial species and specific HMO types allows industry to identify particular HMO types that serve as the preferred substrate prebiotic for each individual infant strain.
“This helps us design highly beneficial prebiotic and probiotic blends that support the natural early microbiome to maturation into adulthood,” asserts Zabel.
Adult nutrition spotlight
The further potential of the findings provides opportunities outside the scope of infant nutrition.
“Currently, our focus has been on HMO benefits for the infant gut. However, there are indications in literature regarding potential benefits of these natural occurring molecules for immune and digestive health in adults as well. The benefits of HMOs can be extended beyond early life using different formats such as dietary supplements or fortified foods,” Zabel concludes.
Recently, a collaborative study between DuPont N&B and the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku, Finland, showcased benefits for adults. It revealed that dental caries-associated bacterium Streptococcus mutans is unable to grow on the company’s Care4U 2’-FL, in contrast to on galacto-oligosaccharides and lactose.
Meanwhile, a scientific expert panel recently concluded that the Care4U 3-FL, which the company is planning to commercialize, is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for a range of uses, including foods for consumers of all ages.
The adult use of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) has the potential to become even more significant than current infant formula usage, according to Odd Hansen, Glycom’s CEO, who previously spoke to NutritionInsight on the segment’s future.
Standard Process also revealed GI Stability, a prebiotic wafer containing 2’-FL. Targeting adults, the wholefood supplement can provide an immune system boost while stimulating the growth of favorable microbial bacteria.
Meanwhile, the DuPont Human Microbiome Venture partnered with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) to develop next-generation probiotics for human health.
By Kristiana Lalou
