GOS is a well-established ingredient that has been added to infant formula for more than two decades. In fact, it is now the most widely used prebiotic in infant formula worldwide.
Growing consumer interest in infant gut health is shaping this trajectory, according to Sophie Nicolas, global marketing innovation lead in early life nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, with GOS recognized for its ability to promote beneficial gut bacteria.
“Parents are increasingly focused on gut health,” Nicolas told NutraIngredients. “Fifty-five percent of parents who purchase infant milk formula are concerned about their child’s gut health, and 59% would be interested in purchasing a product claiming to support gut health in children [Innova Market Insights, 2020].
“While interest in prebiotic ingredients is rising more broadly, GOS stands out because it is well-studied and effective.”
But what is GOS? And can it be used synergistically with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to provide added benefits?
The role of GOS in supporting oligosaccharide diversity
Human breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first months of life, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. After fat and lactose, oligosaccharides are the third largest solid component of human milk, making up around 10% of the dry weight.
These HMOs help to establish healthy gut microbiota in infancy, playing a central role in supporting digestion and immunity. However, breastfeeding is not always possible, leaving some children at risk of missing out on these beneficial compounds.
As a result, formulators have set out to produce and replicate some individual HMOs to be added to infant formula, such as 2′-FL—the most abundant HMO in human breastmilk.
But producing individual HMOs does not reflect the full diversity of oligosaccharides in human milk, and Nicolas says combining GOS with HMOs can therefore offer a greater variety of these beneficial compounds.
“GOS are a complex mix of over 100 oligosaccharide structures that are derived from the lactose in cow’s milk using an enzymatic conversion,” she said. “As such, GOS consist of the building blocks glucose and galactose, which are also building blocks of HMOs.”
The firm’s own ingredient, marketed as Vivinal GOS, also contains oligosaccharides that are naturally present in human milk, with emerging research suggesting that this pairing may bring complementary gut and immunity benefits.
“Our new research has revealed that Vivinal GOS delivers 3′-, 4′- and 6′-galactosyllactose—structures that form part of the HMO pool in breast milk. This finding shows how GOS can help bring greater oligosaccharide diversity to formula [milk]," Nicolas said.
“In addition, in vitro research has shown that GOS works well in combination with the HMO 2′-FL, and such combinations offer not only a larger diversity of oligosaccharides, but bring potential benefits, too."
What are the benefits of GOS?
Scientific research shows that GOS can positively influence the composition of the infant gut microbiota and promote beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, a keystone of the infant gut.
This is thought to play a key role in promoting digestive health, with studies showing that GOS can improve bowel function, stool consistency and transit time in infants.
“As a result, GOS can improve digestive comfort, while supporting mineral absorption, including iron in infants,” Nicolas said. “Additionally, GOS may contribute to immune system development, with clinical trials showing reduced incidence of infections when GOS is present in infant formula.”
But GOS isn’t just for infants—it has also been shown to have beneficial effects in both young children and adults.
Research from FrieslandCampina Ingredients shows that GOS can support gut health in adults and possibly even mental health via the gut-brain axis, with one study showing that GOS can improve mental wellbeing and reduce anxiety levels, while also increasing the abundance of Bifidobacteria.
While some studies in young children show similar benefits in the gut, Nicolas highlights that research is still fairly limited, and innovators must consider the unique nutrient requirements of growing children, which differ significantly from both infants and adults.
“While long-term clinical studies in infants are limited, the evidence collected over the years clearly indicates that GOS helps set infants on a strong path for healthy development,” she said. “And with growing evidence of benefits across the lifespan—not just for digestion, but also mental wellness—GOS is proving to be a valuable ingredient not just in early life, but well beyond.”
Looking ahead
Nicolas says FrieslandCampina Ingredients is now focused not only on communicating the benefits of GOS to consumers and brands, but also researching and innovating to create ‘next-gen’ ingredients.
“Because we believe that offering a wide range of oligosaccharide structures to formula-fed infants is key to supporting a good start in life, we are currently researching new ways to offer even more HMO structures through GOS,” she said.
“Our recent research has led to the development of a breakthrough next-generation ingredient—which we can’t reveal just yet, but we look forward to sharing more details soon as we continue to expand the Vivinal GOS portfolio.”