Dosage-Related Prebiotic Effects of Inulin in Formula-Fed Infants

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to identify the minimally meaningful dosage of inulin leading to a prebiotic effect in Indonesian infants.MethodsIn a randomized controlled double-blinded, parallel, 3-arm intervention study, 164 healthy formula-fed infants aged 3 to 5 months first obtained formula-A (without inulin) during a 4-week adaptation period. Subsequently, 142 subjects were subjected to a 4-week feeding period by administering either formula-A (no inulin), formula-B (0.2 g/100 mL inulin) or formula-C (0.4 g/100 mL inulin). The primary outcome parameter was %-bifidobacteria in faecal samples determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. Secondary outcome parameters were faecal %-lactobacilli, pH and stool frequency, and consistency. Growth and tolerance/adverse effects were recorded as safety parameters.ResultsTypical %-bifidobacteria and %-lactobacilli at the end of the adaptation period in the study population were 14% and 2%, respectively. For faecal pH, significant differences between formula groups A vs. C and A vs. B were found at the end of the intervention period. Testing for differences in faecal %-bifidobacteria and %-lactobacilli between groups was hampered by non-normal data set distributions; no statistically significant differences were obtained. Comparisons within groups revealed that only in formula group C, all the three relevant parameters exhibited a significant effect with an increase in faecal %-bifidobacteria and %-lactobacilli and a decrease in pH.ConclusionA consistent prebiotic effect along with a decrease in pH and increase in %-bifidobacteria and %-lactobacilli was found only in the group administered 0.4 g inulin/100 mL.

Prebiotic Properties of Non-Fructosylated α-Galactooligosaccharides from PEA (Pisum sativum L.) Using Infant Fecal Slurries

“…As a result, different oligosaccharides have been utilised to mimic the function of HMOs, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and β-galactooligosaccharides (β-GOS). Other natural sources have also been utilised to obtain carbohydrates for infant formulas with well reported prebiotic activities such as inulin [ 11 ], pectin-oligomers [ 6 ], raffinose [ 12 ] and resistant starch [ 13 ]. For infant formulas, research has mainly focused on inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and β-galactooligosaccharides (GOS); indeed, there is still a wide range of oligosaccharides that could mimic, at least to some extent, the functional properties of HMOs.…”

Benefit and Challenge of Soy Plant-based Formula in Infant and Children

“…24 A consistent prebiotic effect along with a decrease in pH and increase in %-bifidobacteria and %lactobacilli was found in a group administered 0.4 g inulin/100 mL. 25…”

The Role of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in Immune Barrier Maturation of the Small Intestine at Weaning

“…Its unique chemical structure is made up of compounds with low chemical reactivity and resistant to digestion by the human GIT ( 106 ). Inulin is routinely added to infant formulas ( 107 ) mainly manufactured from bovine milk which, compared to human breastmilk ( 108 ), has a lower concentration of milk oligosaccharides ( 109 ). The complex molecular structures of these milk oligosaccharides are digested by probiotic bacteria which is key for developing a diverse and balanced microbial community in the infant GIT ( 110 ).…”