Consumer demand for science-backed supplement ingredients has never been stronger. GlycoActiveTM HMOs bring one of nature's most bioactive carbohydrate classes to the growing gut health and wellness supplement market.
The dietary supplement market has long been served by conventional prebiotics such as inulin, FOS, and GOS. HMOs represent a meaningful step forward: structurally more complex, more targeted in their biological activity, and supported by a growing body of publicly available science that extends well beyond simple fibre-based gut support. Where conventional prebiotics feed the gut microbiome broadly, HMOs act with precision, selectively supporting beneficial Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species while simultaneously contributing to gut barrier function and pathogen defence 1,2,3.
This precision prebiotic activity also provides a compelling synbiotic opportunity. The specific affinity of HMOs for distinct gut bacteria makes them obvious partners for probiotic-containing supplement formulations.This enables formulators to develop synbiotic products where the prebiotic and probiotic components work in concert, amplifying the other's effect on gut microbiome composition and overall gut health.
A NATURAL LINE OF DEFENCE
Supporting a resilient immune system
A healthy gut is closely linked to a well-functioning immune system, and HMOs may support immunity through several complementary mechanisms. Preclinical research suggests that HMOs may interact with innate and adaptive immune cells, potentially influencing their maturation, activity, and cytokine secretion 4. Evidence further suggests that HMOs may help balance pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses without over-stimulating the immune system, a particularly relevant property for supplement formulations targeting daily immune resilience 5.
Beyond immune cell modulation, a range of HMOs appear to act as soluble decoy receptors, mimicking the surface glycans of mucosal cells to competitively bind pathogens, preventing their adhesion to intestinal and respiratory cells 6. This anti-adhesion mechanism has been studied against a broad range of bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens 7,8,9. Together, these complementary mechanisms position HMOs as a scientifically compelling ingredient for supplement formulations targeting a broader immune resilience.
Odourless, taste-neutral, and mildly sweet, GlycoActiveTM HMOs integrate seamlessly into a wide range of supplement formats without affecting the sensory experience of the final product. Their high solubility and heat stability make them compatible with standard supplement manufacturing processes, across a wide range of formulation formats including capsules, tablets, powders, sachets, gummies, and functional drinks, offering genuine versatility across the full range of supplement delivery formats. Their neutral profile also makes them well-suited for combination with other active ingredients, enabling clean, straightforward formulation without compromise.
References
1 Salli et al. (2021). Selective utilisation of the human milk oligosaccharides 2'-fucosyllactose, 3-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose by various probiotic and gut/pathogenic bacteria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(1), 170–182
2 Thongaram et al. (2017). Human milk oligosaccharide consumption by probiotic and human-associated bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(10), 7825–7833
3 Kong et al. (2019). Modulation of intestinal epithelial glycocalyx development by human milk oligosaccharides and non-digestible carbohydrates. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63(17), e1900303
4 Triantis et al. (2018). Immunological effects of human milk oligosaccharides. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6, 190.
5 Zuurveld et al. (2020). Immunomodulation by human milk oligosaccharides: the potential role in prevention of allergic diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 801.
6 Weichert et al. (2013). Bioengineered 2'-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose inhibit the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enteric pathogens to human intestinal and respiratory cell lines. Nutrition Research, 33(10), 831–838.
7 Facinelli et al. (2019). Breast milk oligosaccharides: effects of 2'-fucosyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose on the adhesion of Escherichia coli and Salmonella fyris to Caco-2 cells. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 32(17), 2950–2952.
8 Pandey et al. (2018). Broad-spectrum neutralization of avian influenza viruses by sialylated human milk oligosaccharides: in vivo assessment of 3'-sialyllactose against H9N2 in chickens. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 2563.
9 Jantscher-Krenn et al. (2012). Human milk oligosaccharides reduce Entamoeba histolytica attachment and cytotoxicity in vitro. British Journal of Nutrition, 108(10), 1839–1846.
APPLICATIONS
Discover all applications
Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
Early life nutrition
The most established market for HMOs, covering infant formula,
follow-on milk and complementary foods. Six regulatory-approved
ingredients, supported by an extensive body of publicly available
scientific and clinical literature.
Dietary supplements
GlycoActiveTM HMOs offer formulators fully compliant ingredients, versatile across capsules, powders and functional formats, with a well-established scientific foundation across multiple health areas. A fast-
growing market where science and consumer trust go hand in hand.
Functional food and beverages
Consumer demand for functional food and beverages is accelerating. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are odourless, taste-neutral, highly soluble, and heat-resistant, making them easy to incorporate across a wide range of product formats.
Medical nutrition
Patients with specific medical and nutritional needs require ingredients with the highest quality and regulatory standards. GlycoActiveTM HMOs meet those standards and can aid to support their recovery, health
and well-being.
Pet nutrition
The nutritional market for companion animals is growing, with increasing demand for science-backed ingredients. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides offer a unique positioning in gut health and joint mobility.
Animal feed
Mammals have their own arsenal of milk carbohydrates to support the healthy development of young animals. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides bring those same nature-identical glycans to animal feed, with evidence in supporting gut health, immunity, and infection prevention.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about Inbiose and our HMO ingredients, applications, health benefits and technology platform.
What supplement formats are GlycoActiveTM HMOs compatible with?
GlycoActiveTM HMOs are odourless, taste-neutral, and highly soluble, making them compatible with a wide range of supplement formats including capsules, tablets, powders, sachets, gummies, and functional drinks. Their neutral sensory profile makes them easy to combine with other active ingredients.
Can HMOs be combined with probiotics to create synbiotic supplements?
Yes. A synbiotic is a combination of a prebiotic and a probiotic that work together to support e.g. gut health. HMOs are precision prebiotics with a specific affinity for beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, the same strains most commonly used in probiotic supplements. This structural complementarity makes HMOs natural partners for probiotic-containing formulations, enabling synbiotic products where the prebiotic and probiotic components may work in concert to support gut microbiome composition and overall gut health.
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Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
