As a key component of infant nutrition attracts growing attention, Arla Foods Ingredients seeks new sources
Mounting evidence of the significant nutritional role played by sialic acid in human breast milk has caught the attention of the infant formula industry. Demand for Arla Foods Ingredients’ LACPRODAN^® CGMP-10 a whey protein rich in sialic acid is growing as a result. Responding to the market interest, an innovation project is now underway to identify additional sialic acid sources.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition earlier this year is the latest in a series that suggests sialic acid is important to early cognitive development. Present in human milk and neural tissues, the belief is that the 9-carbon sugar molecule is a key contributor during the periods of rapid brain growth that occur in the first months of life. Learning ability and memory are both thought to be enhanced.

Nutritional supplement
Of the sialic acid present in human milk, one third is bound to protein and two thirds to carbohydrate. Used as a nutritional supplement in infant formula, the caseinoglycomacropeptide product LACPRODAN^® CGMP-10 is a good source of protein-bound sialic acid. Studies show a clear increase in the sialic acid content of spit when CGMP is used as a nutritional supplement in infant formula, a clear indication that the sialic acid is being absorbed.
In addition to its association with improved cognitive development, CGMP has a documented antiviral effect, inhibiting infections caused by Streptococcus, E. coli and cholera toxin, and promotes a healthy gut microflora.

Raising the standard
Today a typical infant formula contains less than 25% of the sialic acid present in human milk. In an attempt to raise this standard, Arla Foods Ingredients has initiated a project to manufacture a source of carbohydrate-bound sialic acid. The aim is to provide infant formula manufacturers with an opportunity to raise the level of sialic acid without increasing the overall protein content. Reducing protein levels and improving protein quality is currently a strong trend within the infant formula industry.
Arla Foods Ingredients has long been committed to the ongoing effort to optimise the nutritional profile of infant formula. The outcome of the project should be available later this year.