Fourteen varieties of oligosaccharides – a type of prebiotic that aids the growth of beneficial bacteria and protects against harmful varieties in the gut – naturally occur in goat milk baby formula, according to new Australian research. This discovery could be used to help protect infants against gastrointestinal infections, with oligosaccharides stopping pathogens such as E. coli – which is responsible for almost a third of children’s diarrhea cases – from attaching to intestinal cells. Although bovine milk ingredients are often utilized in infant formula applications, this finding may pave the way for the increased use of goat milk ingredients.

Although human milk contains a variety of oligosaccharides that help to establish and maintain infants’ gut microflora, immune development and protection against gastrointestinal infections, it is not always possible for mothers to breastfeed. The most common alternative used is cow milk formula, but goat milk is often considered to be a closer match to human milk, especially in terms of oligosaccharides.

“It was surprising that the formulas contained the same diverse array of natural oligosaccharides found in fresh goat milk, as it meant that they were not affected by processing, even throughout the heat treatment applied during spray-drying,” Harsharn Gill, Head of the Food Research & Innovation Centre at RMIT University and lead investigator of the study, tells.

“Additionally, it was unexpected that the small doses recommended by the manufacturer were sufficient for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing the attachment of pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal cells,” Gill adds.

Health and well-being are, of course, optimal to all age groups, but it is arguably most vital to vulnerable groups such as babies and toddlers. The market of formula products that not only aim to fill babies bellies but add extra health benefits is growing with rising demand. According to Innova Market Insights data, infant nutrition launches continue to grow, noting a 13 percent average annual growth between 2014-2018. This increase in launches is reportedly attributed to a growing number of women entering the workforce, as well as calls for clean labels that are also allergy-free or pack an extra health punch.

Goat milk is prominently similar to human breast milk
Following an analysis of two commercial formulas (Oli6 Stage 1 for babies aged 0-6 months and Oli6 Stage 2 for babies aged 6-12 months), it was revealed that of the 14 forms of the oligosaccharides in goat milk, five are also found in human breast milk. Alongside the sialylated oliogosaccharide, the fucosylated type was the most heavily present in goat milk. It is also the most abundant oligosaccharide in human milk, and is the focus of significant commercial and regulatory interest, according to Gill.

“Goat milk formulas, without fortification of man-made oligosaccharides, may be effective in promoting gut health. It is to be noted, however, that the diversity and amount of oligosaccharides found in the analyzed goat milk-based infant formulas was significantly lower than those reported in breast milk,” he concedes.

Gill intends to investigate the differences in formulas, saying that the researchers are planning clinical studies involving infants to verify these observations, and are also testing how the efficacy of goat milk-based formulas compare with that of bovine milk-based formulas.

New knowledge about the role of gut microflora in health and disease, as well as the revelation that oligosaccharides could be used to restore gut microbial homeostasis is driving the prebiotic trend, Gill theorizes. “Another application could be the development of functional foods and dietary supplements based on goat milk oligosaccharides,” he notes.

Infant nutrition NPD continues to innovate
Health and well-being are, of course, optimal to all age groups, but it is arguably most vital to vulnerable groups such as babies and toddlers. The market of formula products that not only aim to fill babies’ bellies, but also add extra health benefits, is flourishing.

NZMP’s Senior Research Scientist James Dekker recently presented research on the topic of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) composition in human and bovine milk, and noted how the business has set its sights on establishing MFGM’s efficacy for infant nutrition, particularly in relation to cognitive development and function.

A previous study found that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are crucial for infants developing a healthy microbiome. This further highlights the salience of finding an oligosaccharide source in breast milk alternatives.

Earlier this year, BASF and Glycosyn signed a partnership agreement for the development and commercialization of HMOs for broad use in dietary supplements, functional nutrition and medical food. The strategic partnership includes exclusive license of Glycosyn’s patent portfolio for gut health beyond infant nutrition to BASF. The agreement aims to improve gastrointestinal health in adolescents and adults, along with broadening the applications of HMO for further health conditions.