Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Researchers question extra prebiotic use in enteral nutrition

15-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Additional prebiotics oligofructose and inulin through enteral nutrition does not significantly impact faecal concentrations of ‘friendly bacteria’ bifidobacteria in intensive-care patients, according to research.

Medical nutrition division still has 'role to play': Danone

12-Dec-2014 By Mark ASTLEY

After months of speculation, French dairy giant Danone has announced it does not plan to sell its medical nutrition business.

"I think everybody would love to see at least one approved health claim in these areas at some point in time”

EFSA claim for pro- and prebiotics getting closer, but industry is wary of rushing

12-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

There is a general feeling that probiotic and prebiotic producers are getting closer to receiving their categories' first ever health claim; however many big companies are wary of rushing applications after learning the lessons from previous failed...

Researchers eye satiety market following 'encouraging' results

11-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A new inulin-propionate ester (IPE) ingredient may increase appetite-reducing hormones and make people feel fuller, according to research published in the journal Gut.

ARCHIVE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Naturally opposed? Balancing new technologies with consumer perceptions

10-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

New technologies are vital to the future growth of the food and nutrition industry, but their future success depends on much more than the science behind them.

Dispatches from Hi Europe

EFSA panel member spells out lessons for health claim applications

08-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Good science and trial design must be a focus for companies putting together new health claims dossiers, but that may not mean what you think it does, says NDA Panel member Hans Verhagen.

Sabinsa and Fruit d'Or team up for synbiotic probiotic-cranberry ingredient

08-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sabinsa and Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals are targeting gut and digestive health, and heart health with their patent-pending combination of LactoSpore (Bacillus coagulans (MTCC 5856)) with Cran Naturelle cranberry seed powder.

Trust me, I'm a doctor: European omega-3 consumption depends on physician backing, GOED

05-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Lack of a recommendation from a doctor, taste and price are all top deterrences for European consumers reluctant to take omega-3 – but sustainability is not a key concern, according to the results of a seven-country survey from the Global Organization...

‘An important contribution to the clinical evidence’: Second generation prebiotic shows anti-anxiety potential

03-Dec-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of the second generation prebiotic Bimuno containing a novel mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides may lower measures of anxiety, says a new study from the UK.

BioGaia to buy 35% stake in MetaboGen AB

02-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Probiotics specialist BioGaia has said it will invest SEK 12m (€1.3m) in Swedish research company MetaboGen AB.

Gut bacteria may play role in brain protection

28-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Our natural gut-residing microbes could play a role in controlling the permeability of the blood-brain barrier - which protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood, say researchers.

Could a yogurt a day keep diabetes away?

27-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of yogurt may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, suggests a new meta-analysis.

Bullet point insights

Put consumer education before health claims, says marketing expert

27-Nov-2014 By Peter Wennström

An ingredient industry more focused on health claims than in educating consumers is actively destroying the market for both itself and it's customers, says Healthy Marketing Team president and expert consultant, Peter Wennstrom, in this guest article.

Bridging the business-science gap: Probiota 2015 takes aim at new frontiers

26-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Probiota 2015 will return to Amsterdam next February, where global prebiotic, probiotic and microbiota focused industries and researchers will come together to bridge the gap between cutting edge science and business strategy.

Special edition: functional foods

Functional Foods: The end of the processed foods era?

20-Nov-2014 By Peter Wennstrom

To understand Functional Foods you must see it as a strategy to add value to processed foods, says the president and founder of the HealthyMarketingTeam, Peter Wennstrom, in this guest article.

Tainted science? Microbiome studies may be ‘flawed’ by contamination

13-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Researchers may be incorrectly linking certain microbes to the microbiota and disease states because of laboratory contamination, a new study has warned.

Probiotic encapsulation backed for better delivery within food matrix

06-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

A new review describing a variety of methods for the encapsulation of probiotic bacterial strains highlights the opportunities that better encapsulation technologies could bring for the market, but warns that the efficacy of encapsulated probiotics must...

GanedenBC30 may boost response to prebiotics, says new study

04-Nov-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming Ganeden’s BC30 probiotic strain may enhance the effects of prebiotics, compared with prebiotics alone, says a new study funded by Ganeden Biotech and Schiff Nutrition.

DuPont: ‘We will launch 4000 products by 2020’

31-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DuPont’s nutrition & health division will play a big part in the launch of 4000 food-related products in the next six years, its chief said as the company celebrated 50 years at its Brabrand base in Aarhus, Denmark yesterday.

Bran more effective than whole grain in alleviating obesity symptoms: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation with finger millet bran may help alleviate symptoms of obesity like oxidative stress, inflammation and gut microbial imbalances, according to mice research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

International Probiotics Association to relocate to US; reigning chief resigns

31-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) is relocating to an unconfirmed US location from Europe in November. The group will replace executive director, Ioannis Misopoulos, who will remain in Switzerland.

Financials

Nutrition profits jump 23% in mixed DuPont Q3 results

29-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DuPont is reaping the benefit of its €5bn 2011 acquisition of Danish probiotics and enzymes giant Danisco, with its nutrition and health division showing 23% profit growth in a “sluggish” world market.

We want you: Scientific committee calls for cutting edge science at Probiota 2015

29-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

A newly established scientific committee are set to assess cutting edge research for the Probiota 2015 Scientific Frontiers poster session. Don’t miss your chance to present as entries close on November 7.

Nutrition and health drive success for Chr Hansen

22-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Strong growth in nutrition and health has helped Chr Hansen to strong full-year results that match the expectations for the year, says the firm.

Prebiotics and synbiotics show potential to reduce obesity-related issues: Meta-analysis

22-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing the diets of overweight and obese people with prebiotics and synbiotics may improve some metabolic measures, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, says a new systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials.

Dairy ingredients giant on Indonesia: ‘A lot of opportunities here’

21-Oct-2014 By Shane Starling from Food Ingredients-Asia in Jakarta

Irish dairy and ingredients group Kerry sees a lot of potential in an Indonesian market where sophisticated nutritionals are gaining ground with a young demographic. It is upping investment in a country with south east Asia’s largest population (250m).

How to measure probiotic counts in chocolate

15-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Flow cytometry – a laser-based cell sensor system – is almost twice as accurate at measuring probiotic levels in chocolate when compared to traditional methods, according to research.

Tackling toxins: Probiotic yoghurt provides mercury detox

15-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Governments might not want to admit it, but according to a leading academic in microbiology and probiotics, there is demand for probiotic products with detoxification properties that can help protect against uptake of toxic metals such as mercury and...

What women want: Lallemand launches probiotics for female health

14-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

The absence of any EU-approved health claims for probiotics hasn’t deterred Lallemand Health Solutions from launching a suite of probiotics addressing women’s health issues.

Probiotics giant debuts soft gel with 2-year shelf life

13-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Danish probiotics player Chr Hansen has launched a patent-pending soft gel that can deliver live probiotics with a two-year shelf life and matched it with a probiotic-omega-3 supplement targeting pregnant women.

Lactobacillus fermentum’s immune benefits show ‘potential to augment healthy aging’

08-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum MTCC 5898 may alleviate the age-related decline in immune function in the elderly, and promote healthy aging, says a new study from India.

Diet may impact risk of inflammatory bone disease by changing gut bacteria

06-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Diet may fuel or dampen susceptibility to autoinflammatory bone disease by changing the intestinal bacteria balance, according to a mouse study published in the journal Nature.

Can an apple a day keep obesity away?

06-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Non-digestible compounds found in some types of apples, and especially in Granny Smith apples, could help to fight obesity by re-establishing the balance of a disturbed microbiota, say researchers.

Bifidobacterium may prevent weight gain and glucose intolerance in obese mice

06-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 may reduce fat levels and glucose intolerance in obese and diabetic mice, says a new study from DuPont Nutrition and Health.

Gut bacteria type plays role in obesity risk from high fat diet

03-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Specific gut bacteria found in humans could increase the risk of obesity when consuming fat-rich foods, according to new data.

GoodBelly teams up with Microwarriors documentary to advance public knowledge on probiotics

02-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Leading probiotic juice brand GoodBelly is ‘confident’ its partnership with the Microwarriors documentary will help advance public knowledge about the benefits of probiotics.

Probiotic potential: Altering gut bacteria shows promise for fatty liver disease

29-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

Probiotics may have beneficial effects on the treatment and prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other related conditions, according to a new review.

Special edition: Inside Europe's food supplements market

Eastern European food supplements markets confront contamination issues

25-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Eastern European nations need to take greater actions to combat contamination in food supplements, according to one expert on product testing for illegal substances.

India

Stars aligning for India’s growth-driven probiotics market

24-Sep-2014 By RJ Whitehead

A combination of rising health concerns, a growing risk of stress- and lifestyle-related disorders and more brands on the market have been propelling the demand for probiotics in India.

Synbiotic fermented milk may boost isoflavone bioavailability: Human data

23-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of a fermented milk product containing probiotic bacteria and prebiotic fibers may increase the bioavailability of soy isoflavones in women, says a new study from Thailand.

Meta-analysis offers ‘cautious optimism’ for efficacy of probiotics for functional constipation

22-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Probiotic supplements may help people with constipation by improving stool consistency and transit time, but the benefits appear strain specific, according to a new meta-analysis of 14 RCTs.

Probiotic/vitamin C blend cuts kids’ school absence by 30%

18-Sep-2014 By Paul Gander

Daily doses of probiotics plus vitamin C can reduce flu incidence and missed school days by more than 30%, according to researchers.

South Korea

‘Straightforward’ claims process gives Korea advantage over neighbours

17-Sep-2014 By RJ Whitehead

South Korea’s probiotic segment has been growing at around 30% over the last two years, and according to one international bioscience major, this lightning rate should continue for another year.

L. paracasei may alter intestinal microbiota in healthy people: Study

17-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei could alter the intestinal microbial in healthy populations, but this depends strictly on the ‘ecosystem’ of the individual, according to research. 

Study compares 8 probiotic products' efficacy

Empty stomach: Probiotics professor clarifies findings of efficacy study

16-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

A soon-to-be-published UK study has questioned the efficacy of several on-shelf probiotic products after testing eight including giants Yakult and Danone – but the lead author tells us its key findings have been distorted in the press.

Fermented milk product containing probiotics 'improved' IBS: Danone research

12-Sep-2014 By Mark ASTLEY

Danone Nutricia Research and the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) have publishing findings they claim show the “beneficial” effect of fermented milk products containing probiotics on gut microbiota.

Probiotics easier to market as drugs than foods: PRI

11-Sep-2014 By Paul Gander

The EU’s strict nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) which has barred all probiotic claims means 'living microorganism'-based products could be easier to bring to market as drugs, a 4-year-old French group has said.

Science grows for BLIS M18’s oral health benefits

10-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily lozenge containing Streptococcus salivarius M18, branded as BLIS M18, for 28 days results in detectable levels of the probiotic in the mouth seven days later, says a new study from Western University (Ontario) and BLIS Technologies Ltd (New Zealand).

Protexin considers long-term kids’ health research on synbiotics

05-Sep-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Probiotics International (Protexin) may invest in children’s health research for its seven-strain synbiotic mix Bio-Kult Infantis, following independent research linking it to improvements in baby colic, its medical advisor says.

Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei shows oral health benefits: Study

02-Sep-2014 By Stephen Daniells

The bacterial strain Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 may protect against caries by reducing oral levels of Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria associated with tooth decay, suggest data from a study with rats.