A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 110.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40 C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

A dry stable probiotic composition is provided. The composition comprises one or more viable probiotic microorganisms, one or more hydrolyzed proteins, one or more disaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, and one or more polysaccharides, but not trehalose. The composition has viability of at least 110.sup.10 CFU/g, and a viability loss of less than 1 log unit/g after 3 months at a temperature of 40 C. and a relative humidity of 33%. Also provided are methods for preparing the dry stable probiotic composition.

A system and method for estimating livestock weight is described. Embodiments of the system can include a computing device and a three-dimensional tag configured to be secured to an animal. One or more images of an animal, including the three-dimensional tag, can be processed to take various measurements of the animal. A scaling factor for the measurements can be based on the three-dimensional tag. After the measurement are calibrated, a weight of the animal can be estimated based on the calibrated measurements.

A system and method for estimating livestock weight is described. Embodiments of the system can include a computing device and a three-dimensional tag configured to be secured to an animal. One or more images of an animal, including the three-dimensional tag, can be processed to take various measurements of the animal. A scaling factor for the measurements can be based on the three-dimensional tag. After the measurement are calibrated, a weight of the animal can be estimated based on the calibrated measurements.

This invention describes new hydrated and anhydrous polymorphs of 2-0-ficosyllactose (2FL): Polymorph A 2FL-3/2H.sub.2O, Polymorph B 2TL-5/2H.sub.2O and anhydrous Polymorph C. There is also a description of the methods for obtaining them, and of a new method for preparing Polymorph I already known in the literature.

This invention describes new hydrated and anhydrous polymorphs of 2-0-ficosyllactose (2FL): Polymorph A 2FL-3/2H.sub.2O, Polymorph B 2TL-5/2H.sub.2O and anhydrous Polymorph C. There is also a description of the methods for obtaining them, and of a new method for preparing Polymorph I already known in the literature.

The present invention relates to a complementary nutritional composition characterized by a low glycemic load and/or index and/or comprising an ingredient characterized by a low glycemic index for use in treatment, prevention and/or reducing the risk of a metabolic syndrome disorder appearing later in life.

The present invention relates to a complementary nutritional composition characterized by a low glycemic load and/or index and/or comprising an ingredient characterized by a low glycemic index for use in treatment, prevention and/or reducing the risk of a metabolic syndrome disorder appearing later in life.

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions to achieve and maintain a desirable in vivo phenotype during fermentation and processing of food products for human or animal consumption. The methods and compositions of this invention require an activator that acts as a metabolic trigger for Mammalian Milk Oligosaccharide (MMO) consumption phenotype without necessarily requiring oligosaccharides (i.e a sugar polymer of 3 or more monosaccharides) within the fermentation medium. Compositions containing a non-oligosaccharide activator (e.g. monomers and dimers, and combinations thereof) may be used in fermentation processes of this invention. Turning on MMO-related genes without the use of oligosaccharides is one method of preparing activated commensal bacteria. Embodiments of this invention relate to a composition and a method for preparing a stable, activated and dormant form of commensal bacteria such as: bifidobacteria, lactobacilli or pediococci; for consumption by animals or humans, who are nursing or otherwise receiving MMOs as part of their diet.

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions to achieve and maintain a desirable in vivo phenotype during fermentation and processing of food products for human or animal consumption. The methods and compositions of this invention require an activator that acts as a metabolic trigger for Mammalian Milk Oligosaccharide (MMO) consumption phenotype without necessarily requiring oligosaccharides (i.e a sugar polymer of 3 or more monosaccharides) within the fermentation medium. Compositions containing a non-oligosaccharide activator (e.g. monomers and dimers, and combinations thereof) may be used in fermentation processes of this invention. Turning on MMO-related genes without the use of oligosaccharides is one method of preparing activated commensal bacteria. Embodiments of this invention relate to a composition and a method for preparing a stable, activated and dormant form of commensal bacteria such as: bifidobacteria, lactobacilli or pediococci; for consumption by animals or humans, who are nursing or otherwise receiving MMOs as part of their diet.