A new study demonstrates that supplementation of an infant formula with BENEO’s Orafti Synergy1 (oligofructose-enriched inulin) has a favorable prebiotic effect and is well tolerated by newborns. This study was led by Prof. Gigi Veereman-Wauters (Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at UZ Brussels, Belgium) and conducted at the Queen Paola and Middelheim Hospitals ZNA Antwerp, Belgium, in cooperation with the BENEO-Institute. The study demonstrates that BENEO’s Orafti Synergy1 supplementation in infant formulas designated for neonates modifies the microflora composition by increasing bifidobacteria, which results in a flora composition resembling that of breast-fed babies.

The prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled intervention study included 110 healthy neonates, receiving different prebiotics included in an infant formula over four weeks. The babies received a control infant formula, or a formula enriched with OraftiSynergy1 at two different concentrations (0.4 or 0.8 g/dl), or a formula enriched with galacto-oligosaccharide and fructo-oligosaccharide in a 90:10 relation (0.8 g/dl). A group of breast-fed babies was also included in the study as reference group.

Results of this study show the tolerance and safety profiles were good for all supplemented formulas; proper growth was observed in all groups as well. The prebiotics had positive effects on some of the measured physiological parameters, by softening stool consistency, while babies in the control group had the hardest stools. Orafti Synergy1 intake (0.8 g/dl) further increased bifidobacteria level in babies’ stools in a significant way, after two and four weeks of intake. Interestingly, the level of bifidobacteria (measured by FISH methodology) was comparable to that of breast-fed babies. All other measured bacteria were not affected by the prebiotic intake. For further information: www.beneo.com