Co-encapsulated prebiotic and probiotic oral delivery system for prenatal and infant health

Overview

This solution addresses a critical challenge in prenatal and infant nutrition: ensuring that probiotic bacteria remain viable through production, storage, and the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. By co-encapsulating probiotic lactobacilli with prebiotic compounds sourced from pulse flours, the technology offers a dual-benefit approach—protecting beneficial microbes during transit while delivering prebiotic fibers that selectively nourish beneficial gut bacteria in the intestine. The target application is maternal health supplements and infant formulations, where improved gut microbial balance can support healthy development.

Technical specifications

• Co-encapsulation platform: Combines probiotic lactobacilli strains with prebiotics such as resistant starches, fructooligosaccharides, and sugar alcohols in a single delivery matrix
• Prebiotic sourcing: Utilizes prebiotics derived from pulse flours, which have been demonstrated to modulate healthy gut microbial growth and promote Bifidobacteria proliferation
• Delivery formats: Can be produced as powders or compressed tablets at lab scale (hundreds of grams)
• Mechanism of action: The prebiotic encapsulation matrix shields probiotic cells during manufacturing, storage, and gastric transit, enabling targeted release in the intestine where both the live probiotics and prebiotic substrates exert their biological effects
• Supporting evidence: Prior published work has shown that polysaccharide co-encapsulation enhances Lactobacillus viability during storage; in ovo feeding studies have demonstrated that probiotic lactobacilli enhance expression of genes involved in lymphoid organ development and maturation in chick embryos

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at TRL 2–3, with lab-scale production demonstrated for both powder and tablet formulations. The research team has validated the prebiotic sources for gut microbial modulation and demonstrated probiotic benefits in embryonic development models. The next phase involves partnering with BASF or BASF-approved entities to develop commercial formulations suitable for maternal health and infant products, including scale-up manufacturing and regulatory approval pathways. The team is prepared to identify and engage suitable scaling and regulatory partners as needed.