Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The emulsion compositions are intended for administration to a mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The emulsion compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.

A sweetener composition comprising xylose, a sugar alcohol and brown seaweed extract in solid form, preferably powdered or crystalline form. The sugar alcohol is preferably an erythritol and the brown seaweed extract is preferably obtained from Laminaria japonica. The sweetener composition can further comprise one or a combination of additional vitamins, minerals, probiotic cultures, and other plant-based extracts.

The present invention relates to methods for feeding and to compositions to be administered to infants delivered via caesarian section and in particular to the use of a) at least two different microorganisms; or b) at least one microorganism and at least one indigestible oligosaccharide; or c)at least two different Bifidobacteria species, subspecies or strains for the manufacture of a composition for enteral administration to an infant delivered via caesarean section. Thereby it is possible to stimulate the healthy development of the intestinal flora of said infants.

The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising non-digestible oligosaccharide for the manufacture of a composition for enteral administration to an infant delivered via caesarean section.

A probiotic for inhibiting growth of Proteus mirabilis, including a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum and a combination thereof. A fermentation broth and an application of the probiotic are further provided.

The invention discloses a composition comprising LNT and at least another human milk oligosaccharide or precursor thereof, for use in preventing and/or treating necrotizing enterocolitis in infants and young children.

The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of acetate and lactate while reducing pH and the levels of pathogenic bacteria and inflammation in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one human milk oligosaccharide and/or a precursor thereof, for use in preventing and/or treating necrotizing enterocolitis in infants or young children born by C-section.

The inventions described herein relate generally to the use of compositions to increase output of acetate and lactate while reducing pH and the levels of pathogenic bacteria and inflammation in the gut of a nursing infant mammal including humans. These compositions generally comprise one or more bacterial strains selected for their growth on mammalian milk oligosaccharides, a source of mammalian milk oligosaccharides, and, optionally, nutritive components required for the growth of that infant mammal.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for increasing the amount aryl-lactates in fermented foods. The methods can comprise delivering alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), trisodium citrate dehydrate (CIT), or both AKG and CIT; and/or phenylpyruvic acid (PPyA), 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (4HPPyA), indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA) or combinations thereof; and/or phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and/or tryptophan or combinations thereof to fermented foods and fermented food matrices. Optionally, bacteria with aromatic amino transferase (ArAT) and/or phenyllactate dehydrogenase activity can also be added to the fermented foods and fermented food matrices. Also provided are methods to increase the bioactivity of fermented foods towards an immune receptor (aryl hydrocarbon receptorAhR). Also provided are methods to more effectively maintain food matrix AhR bioactivity across food storage times of up to 4 weeks. Also provided are methods of inducing weight loss, reducing fat mass, and/or reducing glucose intolerance in mammals.