Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are a structurally diverse group of carbohydrates that are highly abundant in human milk with several suggested health benefits.

1. INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are a structurally diverse group of carbohydrates that are highly abundant in
human milk with several suggested health benefits. We developed an infant colon fermentation model to examine the
effect of one HMO, 2'-fucossyllactose (2'-FL) on the composition of the infant microbiota and production of microbial
metabolites. A medium without added carbohydrates, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and lactose were used as
controls.
1
DuPont Nutrition & Health
Global Health & Nutrition Science
Sokeritehtaantie 20
02460 KANTVIK, FINLAND
E-mail: jenni.liljavirta@dupont.com
2
DuPont Nutrition & Health,
Genomics & Microbiome Science,
Madison, WI
USA
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RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
Newly developed infant gut simulator model for human milk
oligosaccharide fermentation1 1 1 2 1 1
Jenni Liljavirta , Krista Salli , Johanna Hirvonen , Ashley Hibberd , Heli Putaala , Arthur Ouwehand
+4ºC
Effluent
+4ºC
Fresh
medium
6 ml
pH 5.5
8 ml
pH 6.0
10 ml
pH 6.5
12 ml
pH 7.0
+37ºC
Veillonella
Enterobacteriaceae
unclassified
Lactobacillus
Bifidobacterium
BreastfedFormulafed
Age (months): 0.5 3 8* 1.5 4
Solid food*
5.5* 3 3.5* 7.5*
EnteroMIX® colon simulator using infant faecal inocula
was validated as a method for modelling the effect of
carbohydrates on infant microbiota composition and
metabolism. The effect of formula and breast-feeding
was partially masked due to low sample size and
variation in the donor faecal samples. The impact of 2'-
FL on the microbiota and metabolites was closer to
control suggesting milder fermentation than lactose or
GOS that might be more suitable for the immature infant
gut.
There was variation between the simulations due to
donors. In all simulations combined, 2'-FL, GOS and
lactose increased the amount of total bifidobacteria
(qPCR), but no differences were found between feeding
types of the donors. Alpha-diversity was lower in
simulations with breast-fed donors compared to
formula-fed donors (Figure 2).
2'-FL had more effect on Bifidobacteria in simulations
with breast fed donors. Lactobacillus was significantly
increased in simulations with formula fed by lactose and
GOS, and in simulations with breast fed by GOS (Figure
3). The levels of short chain fatty acids (SFCA) and lactic
acid were highest in the lactose and GOS simulations
and lowest in control simulations; being intermediate in
the 2'-FL simulations (Figure 4). Lactose and GOS
simulations produced significantly more lactic acid. The
levels of branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) and
biogenic amines were similar among control, 2'-FL,
GOS and lactose.
FIGURE 1. EnteroMIX® Colon simulator model
For modelling the different stages of colon fermentation.The four vessels
simulate different parts of the human colon with characteristic pH-levels.
FIGURE 3. Relative abundance of species in combined simulation
vessels
2’-FL had more effect on Bifidobacteria in breast fed donors. Lactobacillus
was significantly increased in formula fed by lactose and GOS, and breast
fed by GOS.
FIGURE 2.Alpha-diversity
Alpha-diversity was lower in
simulations with breast-fed donors
compared to formula-fed donors. FIGURE 4. The effect of 2'-FL,
lactose and GOS on microbial
metabolites in breast and
formula fed donors
16S rRNA
amplicon
sequencing
Nine infant donors of
faecal sample
Background information
Microbial
composition
Microbial
metabolites
SCFA&
BCFA
Biogenic
amines
EnteroMIX® Colon simulator
Control, 2'-FL, lactose and GOS
evaluated in controlled conditions