Microbiome NewsIn a study published in The Journal of nutrition, researchers explored whether the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 could survive the preparation process of infant formula recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and subsequently reach the neonatal gut. The WHO advises using water at temperatures of 70°C or higher to reconstitute powdered infant formula, a guideline aimed at minimizing bacterial contamination. However, this temperature may also affect the viability of heat-sensitive probiotics added to the formula.
Probiotic Viability in Formula Preparation
The study involved 34 term neonates who were given formula containing B. infantis M-63 prepared according to WHO recommendations. The infants received this formula from birth to one month of age. Researchers aimed to determine if the probiotic could be detected in the infants' gut despite the high preparation temperature. The study also allowed for concurrent breastfeeding, reflecting real-world feeding practices.
Despite the high temperature, which significantly reduced the viable bacterial counts in the prepared formula, B. infantis M-63 was detected in the fecal samples of nearly all infants at one month of age. Specifically, the detection rates were 94.4% in the low-dose group and 100% in the high-dose group. Importantly, there were no significant differences in detection rates or fecal counts between the different dosage groups.
Impact on Gut Microbiota
The study further examined the impact of B. infantis M-63 on the overall gut microbiota composition. Over time, the infants' gut microbiota shifted towards a Bifidobacterium-dominant profile, a characteristic feature of early infancy. This shift occurred regardless of the probiotic dose administered, suggesting that the presence of B. infantis M-63 might play a role in shaping the gut microbiome during this critical developmental period.
Additionally, the study found a positive association between the fecal recovery of B. infantis M-63 and specific tryptophan-derived metabolites, including indole-3-lactic acid. The correlation coefficient (ρ = 0.509, p = 0.002) indicates a statistically significant relationship, suggesting potential biological activity of the probiotic under the recommended preparation conditions.
Significance and Limitations
This study provides in vivo evidence that B. infantis M-63 can survive the WHO-recommended preparation conditions and reach the neonatal gut. The findings are significant as they suggest that even under microbiologically safe preparation practices, probiotics can maintain their presence and potentially exert biological effects in the infant gut.
However, the study does have limitations. It was exploratory and involved a relatively small sample size of 34 infants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, while the study shows an association between the probiotic presence and certain metabolites, it does not establish causation or fully elucidate the mechanisms involved.
For more on how probiotics interact with the gut microbiome, you might find our guide to prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics helpful.
Frequently asked
What was the main goal of the study?
The main goal of the study was to determine whether the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 could survive the high-temperature preparation of infant formula as recommended by the WHO, and subsequently be detected in the neonatal gut.
Did the probiotic survive the preparation process?
Yes, despite the high preparation temperature reducing viable bacterial counts, B. infantis M-63 was detected in the fecal samples of nearly all infants at one month of age, indicating that it survived the preparation process.
What are the limitations of this study?
The study was exploratory with a small sample size of 34 infants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, while associations were found, the study does not establish causation or fully explain the mechanisms involved.