Abstract

Human Milk Oligosaccharides Enable Growth of Select Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Full Description

Plant oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), are currently used as prebiotics; however, they enrich only semi-specifically probiotics in the human/animal gut microbiota. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have identified oligosaccharides from human breast milk that enable selective growth of beneficial gut microbes (probiotics). These molecules function as bioactive components (prebiotics) for enriching the gastrointestinal tract with select probiotic strains. To date, the aforementioned human milk oligosaccharide structures have only been shown to allow growth of B. longum bv. infantis, thus they represent a highly specific method for enriching certain bifidobacteria.

Furthermore, to achieve precise quantitation and identification of the specific oligosaccharides, UC Davis researchers developed a novel MS based method that can be utilized to screen oligosaccharide consumption or binding in many biological systems.

Suggested uses

• Can be used as food supplements to selectively enrich the human and animal gastrointestinal tract for specific bifidobacteria;
• Create competitive inhibition in the gut for enteric pathogen binding to receptors lining in the epithelium; and,
• In combination with probiotic bacteria (bifidobacteria) to create novel topical treatments to prevent and treat skin ailments

Features/Benefits

• Selectivity of these oligosaccharides

Patent Status

Inventors

• Freeman, Samara
• German, J. Bruce B.
• Lebrilla, Carlito B.
• LoCascio, Riccardo
• Mills, David A.
• Ninonuevo, Milady

Other Information

Contact

Randi L. Jenkins / rljenkins@ucdavis.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #11224.

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ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES BY THESE INVENTORS

• Bifidobacterial Gene Sequences
• Bovine Milk Oligosaccharides: a Novel Class of Microbiome Modulators
• Novel Compounds & Methods for Producing N-Glycans