Human milk oligosaccharides protect infants against infection

Oct 13 2009

Human milk oligosaccharides - an important ingredient in human breast milk - play a central role in protecting infants against infection. An innovative process developed by Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH allows for the first time ever the production of these scarce sugar molecules for use as an ingredient in baby food and in additional food products.

Human breast milk is the perfect food for infants not only because of its optimal nutritional value but also because of ingredients that have special biological functionalities. Like fat and proteins, saccharides represent one of the major components of human milk. In addition to lactose one liter of human breast milk contains 7-12g of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). These HMOs are complex sugar molecules that are mostly specific to human beings.

Jennewein Biotechnologie has developed a production process for the sugar Fucosyllactose. Fucosyllactose, a major constituent of the HMO-group, has an important function in the immune defense of infants. Extensive research shows that a higher concentration of Fucosyllactose in human milk significantly lowers infants' risk of infection. According to the latest scientific findings, intake of Fucosyllactose not only considerably reduces the risk of diarrhea but also of further viral and bacterial infection.

The innovation by Jennewein Biotechnologie allows the inclusion of these oligosaccharides in infant food, so that babies that are not breastfed can also take advantage of the beneficial effects of these sugar molecules. Additionally, the health-protecting effect of Fucosyllactose is not limited to infants. If Fucosyllactose is used as a food ingredient in further food products, a vast number of consumers will be able to take advantage of the proven functional effects of Fucosyllactose.

Since Fucosyllactose of Jennewein Biotechnologie is a natural aliment and not a pharmaceutical, it can be used and consumed as a food ingredient without any restrictions.