Continuing its leading research on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences released the findings of a new study demonstrating the importance of probiotic strain specificity, even within a subspecies, when related to efficient utilisation of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). 

Several species of Bifidobacterium have been shown to utilise HMOs, but little work has been done to study utilisation variations within the species or subspecies.

This 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 utilise 2-fucolsyllactose (2’-FL), 3’-FL and difucosyllactose (DFL), which results in faster growth, unique metabolite production and a distinct global gene transcription response when compared with the type strain ATCC 15697 (reference strain for the B. infantissubspecies).

“We are excited 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 to develop products for supplementation,” stated the study’s lead author, Bryan Zabel, Assistant Scientist, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

“Our research helps us to further understand the interactions between probiotic strains and HMOs and allows us to develop targeted health products,” said Dr Ratna Mukherjea, Technical Fellow and Technology & Innovation Leader, Specialized Nutrition, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

“This study marks a significant advancement in DuPont’s work in early life nutrition.”