Cereal Compositions Containing Human Milk Oligosaccharides

Abstract

Disclosed is a cereal composition which can be prepared instantly with the addition of a liquid, containing at least one human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), and other components which are necessary for the healthy growth and development of a young 5 individual.

Claims

1. A cereal composition for instant preparation with the addition of a liquid, the cereal composition comprising one or more of the following: from 10 to 90 wt. % of a cereal component based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 1 to 40 wt. % of fibre based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 4 to 30 wt. % of protein based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 1 to 10 wt. % of fat based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 2 to 15 wt. % of dried fruits or vegetables based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 1 to 10 wt. % micronutrients based on dry weight of the cereal composition, from 0.5 to 10 wt. % of additives based on dry weight of the cereal composition, and wherein the composition further comprises a maximum of 15 wt. %, based on dry weight of the cereal composition, of at least one human milk oligosaccharide or a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides.

2. The cereal composition according to claim 1, wherein the cereal composition further comprises from 10 to 50 wt. %, based on dry weight of the cereal composition, of a milk component.

3. The cereal composition according to claim 2, wherein the milk component is selected from one or more of the group consisting of whey powder, skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and yoghurt powder.

4. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cereal composition is present in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, granules, flakes, pellets and mixtures of at least two of said forms.

5. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, milk, and juice.

6. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cereal component is present in a form selected from the group consisting of cereal flour, crushed cereal, pulverized cereal, grinned cereal and mixtures of at least two of said forms.

7. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cereal component is selected from one or more of the group consisting of barley, oats, wheat, rice, rye, millet, sorghum and corn.

8. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried fruits and vegetables are present in the form of a powder or flakes.

9. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried fruits are selected from one or more of the group consisting of banana, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, peach, apricot, apple and pear.

10. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dried vegetables are selected from one or more of the group consisting of potato, tomato and leafy green vegetables.

11. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the micronutrients are selected from one or more of the group consisting of iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, and vitamins.

12. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additives are selected from one or more of the group consisting of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin, colorants and sweeteners.

13. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one human milk oligosaccharide is selected the group consisting of acetyl-N-lactosamine, sialylated oligosaccharide, and fucosylated oligosaccharides.

14. The cereal composition according to claim 13, wherein the acetyl-N-lactosamine is selected from one or more of the group consisting of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNPFI).

15. The cereal composition according to claim 13, wherein the sialylated oligosaccharide is selected from one or more of the group consisting of 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL), 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), sialyllacto-N-tetraose a (LST-a), sialyllacto-N-tetraose b (LST-b), sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LST-c) and disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT).

16. The cereal composition according to claim 13, wherein the fucosylated oligosaccharide is selected from one or more of the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL).

17. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture of human milk oligosaccharides contains at least five structurally distinct HMOs, preferably selected from the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL).

18. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture of human milk oligosaccharides contains at least seven structurally distinct HMOs, preferably selected from the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL).

19. The cereal composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cereal composition further contains at least one monosaccharide, said at least one monosaccharide being preferably selected from the group consisting of L-fucose and sialic acid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] According to the present invention, it is provided a cereal composition containing one or more human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and other components, which are necessary for the healthy growth and development of a young individual, and which can be prepared instantly with the addition of a liquid.

[0020] As used herein, “young individual” refers to an infant, toddler, or child. Unless the terms “infant,” “toddler,” or “child” are used separately, then all three are assumed, and contained within the term “young individual”. The term “infant”, as used herein, refers to an individual in the age of about 4 to 12 months. The term “toddler”, as used herein, refers to an individual in the age of about 1 to 3 years old. The term “child”, as used herein, refers to an individual in the age of about 3 to 11 years old.

[0021] It is well known in the prior art that cereal compositions for young individuals need to be adjusted according to the nutritional requirements of their age. The caloric content, the proteins, carbohydrates and lipids must be adjusted to the needs of the young individuals depending on their stage of development and their age.

[0022] To comply with the nutrition needed by a young individual at their different stages of development and age, the present invention provides an adjustable cereal composition for instant preparation with the addition of a liquid. Such cereal composition comprises one or more of the following components: [0023] from 10 to 90 wt. % of a cereal component based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0024] from 1 to 40 wt. % of fibre based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0025] from 4 to 30 wt. % of protein based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0026] from 1 to 10 wt. % of fat based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0027] from 2 to 15 wt. % of dried fruits or vegetables based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0028] from 1 to 10 wt. % micronutrients based on dry weight of the cereal composition, [0029] from 0.5 to 10 wt. % of additives based on dry weight of the cereal composition.

[0030] The composition further comprises a maximum of 15 wt. %, based on dry weight of the cereal composition, of at least one human milk oligosaccharide or a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition further comprises at least 0.01 wt. %, 0.02 wt. %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt %, 0.05%, based on dry weight of the cereal composition, of one or more human milk oligosaccharides.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition comprises a maximum of 11 wt. %, 12 wt. %, 13 wt. %, 14 wt. %, 15 wt. % of one or more human milk oligosaccharides based on dry weight of the cereal composition.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition may further comprise from 10 to 50 wt. %, based on dry weight of the cereal composition, of a milk component. Such milk component is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of whey powder, skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder and yoghurt powder.

[0034] The cereal composition of the present invention may be present in a form selected from the group consisting of a powder, granules, flakes, pellets and mixtures of at least two of said forms. Usually, the cereal compositions prepared according to the present invention have to be mixed with a liquid, until the desired consistency is obtained, before consumption by the young individual. The liquid used for the instant preparation of the cereal composition according to the present invention is preferably selected from the group consisting of water, milk and juice.

[0035] The cereal component of the present invention is preferably in the form selected from the group consisting of cereal flour, crushed cereal, pulverized cereal, grinned cereal and mixtures of at least two of said forms. The cereal component is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of barley, oats, wheat, rice, rye, millet, sorghum and corn.

[0036] The fruits and vegetables contained in the cereal composition of the present invention, are dried fruits and vegetables that may be present in the form of a powder or flakes. Such dried fruits are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of banana, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, peach, apricot, apple and pear. The dried vegetables of the present cereal composition are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of potato, tomato and leafy green vegetables.

[0037] The cereal composition according to the present invention contain micronutrients, which help reduce anaemia rates in young individuals. The micronutrients of the present invention are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, and vitamins.

[0038] The additives comprised in the cereal composition of the present invention are preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), maltodextrin, colorants and sweeteners.

[0039] The cereal composition of the present invention further contains oligosaccharides, specifically human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Human milk oligosaccharides have shown to influence the development of the intestinal microbiome and thus have a positive impact on infant health. Studies also have shown that they protect neonates from viral and bacterial infections, reduce the risk of allergies and inflammation, and promote brain development and neuronal activity. Considering all these positive effects in young individuals and the need for a cereal composition containing a cereal component for instant preparation, one or more HMOs have been included in the present cereal composition.

[0040] The at least one or more HMOs of the present cereal composition may be produced by microbial fermentation, wherein a genetically-engineered microorganism that is able to synthesize an HMO is cultivated in a culture medium (fermentation broth) and under conditions that are permissive for the synthesis of said HMO by said genetically-engineered microorganism. The said at least one human milk oligosaccharide is selected preferably from the group consisting of acetyl-N-lactosamine, sialylated oligosaccharide, and fucosylated oligosaccharides.

[0041] The at least one or more acetyl-N-lactosamine is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) and lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNPFI).

[0042] The at least one or more sialylated oligosaccharide is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL), 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), sialyllacto-N-tetraose a (LST-a), sialyllacto-N-tetraose b (LST-b), sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LST-c) and disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT).

[0043] The at least one or more fucosylated oligosaccharide is preferably selected from one or more of the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL).

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least five structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides. Such five structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). In an exemplary composition of the said mixture, the five structurally distinct HMOs are present in the mixture in amounts as specified in Table 2. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 2 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 2 for each component.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Composition of an exemplary mixture consisting of five structurally distinct HMOs. HMO %-wt. 2′-FL 52.2 3-FL 13.0 LNT 26.1 3′-SL 3.5 6′-SL 5.2 Total 100.0

[0045] In an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least seven structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides. Such seven structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). In an exemplary composition of the said mixture, the seven structurally distinct HMOs are present in the mixture in amounts as specified in Table 3. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 3 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 3 for each component.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Composition of an exemplary mixture consisting of seven structurally distinct HMOs HMO %-wt. 2′-FL 39.0 3-FL 12.0 LNT 23.0 LNnT 2.0 LNFPI 16.0 3′-SL 3.0 6′-SL 5.0 Total 100.0

[0046] In an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the cereal composition may contain a mixture of at least seven structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides, and at least one monosaccharide selected from the group consisting of sialic acid and L-fucose. Such seven structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides are preferably selected from the group consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-fucopentaose I (LNFPI), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). In an exemplary composition of the said mixture, the seven structurally distinct HMOs and the two monosaccharides are present in the mixture in amounts as specified in Table 4. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 4 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 4 for each component.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Composition of an exemplary mixture containing HMOs and two monosaccharides. HMO %-wt. 2′-FL 33.6 3-FL 10.7 LNT 20.1 LNnT 2.0 LNFPI 13.4 3′-SL 2.7 6′-SL 4.0 Sialic acid 8.1 L-fucose 5.4 Total 100.0

[0047] In an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the mix containing five structurally distinct HMOs, according to the second column in Table 5 is of particular advantage for supplementing the cereal composition of the present invention, such that the final cereal composition, prepared instantly with the addition of a liquid for direct consumption, may contain the compounds of the mixture in concentrations as specified in the third column of Table 5. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 5 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 5 for each component.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Composition of a representative mixture containing five structurally distinct HMOs suitable for cereal compositions. Final concentration in cereal composition HMO %-wt. (g/cm.sup.3) 2′-FL 52.2 0.3 3-FL 13.0 0.075 LNT 26.1 0.15 3′-SL 3.5 0.02 6′-SL 5.2 0.03 Total 100.0 0.575

[0048] In an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the mixture containing seven structurally distinct HMOs, according to the second column in Table 6 is of particular advantage for supplementing the cereal composition of the present invention, such that the final cereal composition, prepared instantly with the addition of a liquid for direct consumption, may contain the compounds of the mixture in concentrations as specified in the third column of Table 6. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 6 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 6 for each component.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Composition of a representative mixture containing seven structurally distinct HMOs suitable for cereal compositions. Final concentration in cereal composition HMO %-wt. (g/cm.sup.3) 2′-FL 39.0 0.25 3-FL 12.0 0.08 LNT 23.0 0.15 LNnT 2.0 0.015 LNFPI 16.0 0.1 3′-SL 3.0 0.2 6′-SL 5.0 0.03 Total 100.0 0.645

[0049] In an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the mixture containing seven structurally distinct HMOs and two monosaccharides, according to the second column in Table 7 is of particular advantage for supplementing the cereal composition of the present invention, such that the final cereal composition, prepared instantly with the addition of a liquid for direct consumption, may contain the compounds of the mixture in concentrations as specified in the third column of Table 7. It is understood that the amount of each component of the mixture as specified in Table 7 represents the average amount, and that the amount of each of the given components of the mixture may vary in the range of about ±10%, preferably of about ±5% with respect to the amounts specified in Table 7 for each component.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Composition of a representative mixture containing seven structurally distinct HMOs and two monosaccharides suitable for cereal compositions. Final concentration in cereal composition HMO %-wt. (g/cm.sup.3) 2′-FL 34 0.25 3-FL 11 0.08 LNT 20 0.15 LNnT 2 0.015 LNFPI 13 0.10 3′-SL 3 0.02 6′-SL 4 0.03 Sialic acid 8 0.06 L-fucose 5 0.04 Total 100 0.745

[0050] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to the examples, but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0051] It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, as used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof.

[0052] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer always to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0053] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of representative embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and facilitating the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly listed in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may require fewer than all the features of any foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0054] Furthermore, whereas some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those familiar with the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0055] In the description and examples provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order to facilitate the understanding of the description.

[0056] The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical merit of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0057] The following examples show only embodiments of the present invention and are not limited thereto.

Example 1

[0058] The following cereal composition has been prepared according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] 100 gr of a cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes, for instant preparation, containing, based on dry weight of the cereal composition: rice flour in an amount of 18.34 wt. %, millet flour 12.34 wt. %, corn flour 17.6 wt. %, skimmed milk powder 9.20 wt. %, whole milk powder 7.35 wt. %, maltodextrin 9.96 wt. %, vitamins 1.21 wt. %, iron and zinc mix 1.51 wt. %, fat 4.12 wt. %, banana powder 8.35 wt. %, banana flavor 0.82 wt. %, and 9.2 wt. % of a mix of HMOs (the mixture of HMOs comprising five structurally distinct HMOs according to Table 5).

Example 2

[0060] The following cereal composition has been prepared according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] 100 gr of a cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes, for instant preparation, containing, based on dry weight of the cereal composition: rice flour in an amount of 14.62 wt. %, corn flour 17.62 wt. %, skimmed milk powder 10.47 wt. %, yoghurt powder 7.38 wt. %, whey powder 20.60 wt. %, maltodextrin 10 wt. %, vitamins 1.21 wt. %, iron and zinc mix 1.51 wt. %, fat 5.15 wt. %, blackcurrant powder 1.54 wt. %, blueberry powder 1.24 wt. %, raspberry powder 1.55 wt. %, yoghurt flavor 0.06 wt. %, apple flakes 1.03 wt. % and 6.02 wt. % of a mix of HMOs (the mixture of HMOs comprising seven structurally distinct HMOs and 2 monosaccharides according to Table 7).

Example 3

[0062] The following cereal composition has been prepared according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] 100 gr of a cereal composition in the form of powder and flakes, for instant preparation, containing, based on dry weight of the cereal composition: rice flour in an amount of 16.82 wt. %, millet flour 10.82 wt. %, corn flour 18.34 wt. %, whole milk powder 1.89 wt. %, maltodextrin 21.18 wt. %, vitamins 1.21 wt. %, iron and zinc mix 1.51 wt. %, fat 7.12 wt. %, basil flavor 0.41 wt. %, peppers flakes 2.16 wt. %, tomato powder 4.11 wt. %, potato flakes 5.15 wt. %, and 9.28 wt. % of a mix of HMOs (the mixture of HMOs comprising seven structurally distinct HMOs according to Table 6).