Positive EFSA opinion presents medical use option for Bimuno prebiotic
The prebiotic ingredient is the subject of EFSA’s latest opinion published on 30 March 2022 and follows a request made from the European Commission.
The opinion by the food authority paves the way for Bimuno GOS to be used for the dietary management of impaired gastrointestinal issues in hospitalised patients.
UK-based Clasado plan is to collaborate with partner GLNP Life Sciences, a specialist FSMP producer in Europe in making the ingredient available for medical use.
“Exploring the potential of Bimuno GOS in the FSMP category presents an exciting opportunity for us, and as the most comprehensively studied prebiotic GOS in the market, it’s a logical development,” says Per Rehné, CEO of Clasado Biosciences.
“Bimuno is already building a very strong name for itself in the global health supplement and functional food market as consumers around the world look to the importance of rebalancing their gut microbiome due to various causes of dysbiosis backed by credible scientific and clinical evidence.
“When we consider that our gut bacteria are connected with areas such as digestive health, immunity and cognition, it’s no surprise that prebiotics are coming into focus.”
What is Bimuno?
Bimuno is Clasado’s proprietary GOS ingredient that is derived from lactose, a natural component of cow’s milk.
One of the structures in Bimuno’s GOS is 3-galactosyl-lactose which is also found in human breast milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), a favoured substrate by bifidobacteria.
According to Clasado, the GOS in Bimuno is more selective towards bifidobacteria compared to other commercially available prebiotics, which lack this selectivity and can therefore be metabolised by many types of microbes, beneficial or otherwise.
Studies have also shown that in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), GOS with beta-linkages, such as the one in Bimuno, is advantageous over any plant-based prebiotics, such as FOS and Inulin, which contain fructan groups.
Fructans have been shown to exacerbate symptoms of IBS. Conversely, Bimuno has demonstrated positive effects on symptom relief in IBS sufferers or in individuals suffering from some undiagnosed GI discomfort.
In commercial applications, the ingredient is available in powder or syrup form. Clasado adds that Bimuno is highly stable under a wide range of heat and acidities, making it suitable for a broad range of applications.
These include standalone supplements, including powders and gummies, as well as functional food applications.
Positive change
“With the EFSA positive opinion, this presents the opportunity to embark on a brand-new and promising journey for the business,” adds Rehné.
“The opinion centres around indirectly tackling malnutrition in hospitalised patients where gut microbiome dysbiosis is a common factor; fibre content is key and as a prebiotic substrate, Bimuno GOS certainly fits the bill.
“Following an eventual authorisation from the Commission, we can hopefully affect more positive change across the spectrum of health and wellbeing.
“This positive opinion is a fantastic step forward, whereby we appreciate GLNP’s efforts in helping to unlock Bimuno GOS potential in FSMPs.”
