Complex lipids in early life nutrition
Human milk is a complex and unique source of nutrition with a specific composition securing the needs of the developing infant. In early life nutrition, one of the main compositional gaps is in the lipids – including milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a biologically important building block1.
Milk fat globules are surrounded by a double-layered phospholipid membrane comprising specific membrane proteins. These phospholipids and protein components are present in lower concentrations in bovine milk than in human milk. They are believed to perform several roles in early life nutrition and development2.
Figure 1: Milk fat globule (left) and a close-up view of the milk fat globule membrane layers (right)
At Arla Foods Ingredients, we have developed Lacprodan® MFGM-10 for early life nutrition. The protein and lipid profile includes compounds such as lactoferrin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), sialic acid, phospholipids, sphingolipids, gangliosides and glycoproteins.
Clinical investigation and MFGM
Phospholipids, sphingolipids and gangliosides are important components in neuronal and cognitive development1. The addition of Lacprodan® MFGM-10 to early life nutrition products makes it possible to get closer to the phospholipid profile of human milk. In two clinical studies infants fed a formula supplemented with Lacprodan® MFGM-10 showed improved cognitive scores among 1-year-old formula-fed infants compared to those fed a standard formula3-4. In one follow-up study, infants fed formula supplemented with Lacprodan® MFGM-10 for one year still demonstrated improved cognitive scores as compared to infants fed standard formula at 5.5 years of age5.
Four clinical3,6,7,8 trials assessing infant immune function and infections found that infants given infant formula supplemented with Lacprodan® MFGM-10 had fewer respiratory tract infections, fewer coughs3, fewer hospitalisations, reduced incidence of diarrhoea3,6,7, less need for antibiotic treatment, fewer and shorter episode of fever7, less use of fever medication and less incidence of acute otitis media (and infection of the middle ear following a respiratory infection)8 as compared with infants fed a standard formula.
Premium quality for dry-blend infant formula
Lacprodan® Premium MFGM-10 is specially designed for dry-blend early life nutrition, enabling manufacturers to reduce production costs without compromising food safety or quality. Manufacturers also gain the flexibility to produce more recipes from one base powder.
Read more about our ingredients for dry-blending here.
MFGM essentials
Video2:00Watch the video to better understand what is MFGM, and how it can support closing the functional and compositional gap between infant formula and breastmilk.
Award
Lacprodan® MFGM-10 is the winner of the 2020 NutraIngredients Awards for “Ingredient of the Year'' within the Infant Nutrition category
References:
1. Brink and Lönnerdal 2929, JNB, 85 (2020): 108465
2. Lee et al, 2018, Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6:313
3. Li et al 2019, J Pediatr., 215;24-31.e8
4. Timby et al 2014, Am J Clin Nutr. 99:860 – 8
5. Colombo et al 2023, J Pediatr. 261:113483
6. Zavaleta et al 2011, Hepatology and Nutrition, 53:5:561-8
7. Li et al 2019, Frontiers in Pediatrics, 347
8. Timby et al 2015, JPGN, 60; 384-389
