Galacto-oligosaccharides

GOS are a complex mix of over 100 oligosaccharide structures

Logtenberg, M. J., Donners, K. M. H., Vink, J. C. M., van Leeuwen, S., de Waard, P., de Vos, P., & Schols, H. A. (2020). Touching the high complexity of prebiotic Vivinal galacto-oligosaccharides using UHPLC-PGC-MS. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.



that are derived from the lactose in cow’s milk using an enzymatic (beta-galactosidase) conversion. As such, GOS consist of the building blocks glucose and galactose, which are also building blocks of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Vivinal® GOS are minimally digested by the body, which means they reach the large intestine intact. Scientific evidence supports the influence of GOS, when added to infant milk formula, on the composition of the infant gut microbiota

Ben, X.-M., Li, J., Feng, Z.-T., Shi, Z.-Y., Lu, Y.-D., Chen, R., & Zhou, X.-Y. (2008). Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(42), 6564. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.6564
Fanaro, S., Marten, B., Bagna, R., Vigi, V., Fabris, C., Peña-Quintana, L., Argüelles, F., Scholz-Ahrens, K. E., Sawatzki, G., Zelenka, R., Schrezenmeir, J., de Vrese, M., & Bertino, E. (2009). Galacto-oligosaccharides are bifidogenic and safe at weaning: a double-blind randomized multicenter study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 48(1), 82–88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19172129
Giovannini, M., Verduci, E., Gregori, D., Ballali, S., Soldi, S., Ghisleni, D., & Riva, E. (2014). Prebiotic Effect of an Infant Formula Supplemented with Galacto-Oligosaccharides: Randomized Multicenter Trial. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.878232
Sierra, C., Bernal, M.-J., Blasco, J., Martínez, R., Dalmau, J., Ortuño, I., Espín, B., Vasallo, M.-I., Gil, D., Vidal, M.-L., Infante, D., Leis, R., Maldonado, J., Moreno, J.-M., & Román, E. (2014). Prebiotic effect during the first year of life in healthy infants fed formula containing GOS as the only prebiotic: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 54(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0689-9



. This helps explain why GOS are the most widely used oligosaccharides in infant formula globally.

GOS have been shown to promote the growth of bifidogenic bacteria

Ben, X.-M., Li, J., Feng, Z.-T., Shi, Z.-Y., Lu, Y.-D., Chen, R., & Zhou, X.-Y. (2008). Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(42), 6564. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.6564
Fanaro, S., Marten, B., Bagna, R., Vigi, V., Fabris, C., Peña-Quintana, L., Argüelles, F., Scholz-Ahrens, K. E., Sawatzki, G., Zelenka, R., Schrezenmeir, J., de Vrese, M., & Bertino, E. (2009). Galacto-oligosaccharides are bifidogenic and safe at weaning: a double-blind randomized multicenter study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 48(1), 82–88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19172129
Giovannini, M., Verduci, E., Gregori, D., Ballali, S., Soldi, S., Ghisleni, D., & Riva, E. (2014). Prebiotic Effect of an Infant Formula Supplemented with Galacto-Oligosaccharides: Randomized Multicenter Trial. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.878232
Sierra, C., Bernal, M.-J., Blasco, J., Martínez, R., Dalmau, J., Ortuño, I., Espín, B., Vasallo, M.-I., Gil, D., Vidal, M.-L., Infante, D., Leis, R., Maldonado, J., Moreno, J.-M., & Román, E. (2014). Prebiotic effect during the first year of life in healthy infants fed formula containing GOS as the only prebiotic: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 54(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0689-9



. A substantial number of studies with formula-fed infants has shown that infant formula enriched with Vivinal® GOS caused a significant increase in Bifidobacteria, in comparison to infants receiving a standard formula without GOS

Ben, X.-M. et al. Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in infants. Chin. Med. J. (Engl). 117, 927–931 (2004)
Ben, X.-M., Li, J., Feng, Z.-T., Shi, Z.-Y., Lu, Y.-D., Chen, R., & Zhou, X.-Y. (2008). Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 14(42), 6564. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.6564
Fanaro, S., Marten, B., Bagna, R., Vigi, V., Fabris, C., Peña-Quintana, L., Argüelles, F., Scholz-Ahrens, K. E., Sawatzki, G., Zelenka, R., Schrezenmeir, J., de Vrese, M., & Bertino, E. (2009). Galacto-oligosaccharides are bifidogenic and safe at weaning: a double-blind randomized multicenter study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 48(1), 82–88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19172129



. GOS may contribute to the body’s immune system, since specific health outcomes in clinical trials where a reduced incidence of infections was observed have been connected to the presence of GOS in infant formula

Arslanoglu S, Moro GE, Boehm G. Early supplementation of prebiotic oligosaccharides protects formula-fed infants against infections during the first 6 months of life. J Nutr. Published online 2007. doi:10.1093/jn/137.11.2420
Ranucci G, Buccigrossi V, Borgia E, et al. Galacto-oligosaccharide/polidextrose enriched formula protects against respiratory infections in infants at high risk of atopy: A randomized clinical trial. Nutrients. Published online 2018. doi:10.3390/nu10030286



. Supplementation of infant formula with GOS has been shown to improve infant stool consistency and transit time

Sierra, C., Bernal, M.-J., Blasco, J., Martínez, R., Dalmau, J., Ortuño, I., Espín, B., Vasallo, M.-I., Gil, D., Vidal, M.-L., Infante, D., Leis, R., Maldonado, J., Moreno, J.-M., & Román, E. (2014). Prebiotic effect during the first year of life in healthy infants fed formula containing GOS as the only prebiotic: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 54(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0689-9
Williams T, Choe Y, Price P, et al. Tolerance of formulas containing prebiotics in healthy, term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Published online 2014. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000513



, indicating that GOS contributes to enhanced digestive comfort. GOS have also been shown to enhance calcium absorption in young girls

Whisner, C. M. et al. Galacto-oligosaccharides increase calcium absorption and gut bifidobacteria in young girls: a double-blind cross-over trial. Br. J. Nutr. 110, 1292–303 (2013).



and iron in infants

Paganini, D., Uyoga, M. A., Cercamondi, C. I., Moretti, D., Mwasi, E., Schwab, C., Bechtler, S., Mutuku, F. M., Galetti, V., Lacroix, C., Karanja, S., & Zimmermann, M. B. (2017). Consumption of galacto-oligosaccharides increases iron absorption from a micronutrient powder containing ferrous fumarate and sodium iron EDTA: A stable-isotope study in Kenyan infants. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.116.145060



. In a recent study, it was further shown that supplementation with GOS reduced anxiety in highly anxious young women: this effect was accompanied by an increase in Bifidobacteria in the gut

Johnstone, N., Milesi, C., Burn, O., van den Bogert, B., Nauta, A., Hart, K., Sowden, P., Burnet, P. W. J., & Cohen Kadosh, K. (2021). Anxiolytic effects of a galacto-oligosaccharides prebiotic in healthy females (18–25 years) with corresponding changes in gut bacterial composition. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87865-w



.

• Most frequently-used GOS in infant milk formula for over 20 years
• Best option in our portfolio for wet blending
• Multiple packaging formats available
• Produced in three plants worldwide
• Supported by over 60 clinical trials

• Infant food dry-blend grade
• High purity, low in glucose
• Facilitates recipe differentiation through easier dosing
• Lower transportation footprint due to high dry matter and high oligosaccharide content

• Certified organic in key markets (EU, USDA NOP and China GB/T19630)
• Suitable oligosaccharide solution for organic infant milk formula

• Better drying properties take up less drying capacity
• Low in glucose
• Easier to apply in challenging drying conditions with high air humidity

We are proud to be the first ingredients provider to offer GOS for infant milk formula and have retained our position at the forefront of this technology ever since. With over 75 years of expertise in early life nutrition ingredient manufacturing and research, we offer an industry-leading portfolio of oligosaccharides, along with a complete offering of nutritional ingredients for infant milk formula and young child formula. Our extensive and scalable GOS supply chain is bolstered by three manufacturing locations worldwide, and our Vivinal® GOS are the most widely studied GOS ingredients in the world, with over 60 clinical trials in infants and young children. We support leading global infant formula brands with our strong analytical expertise, helping to develop and validating analytical methods to ensure the right blend of GOS and other ingredients for your product.