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Pasadena, TX (October 2022) – A study published in the MDPI Journal finds that a blend of three probiotic strains from Kaneka^® / AB-Biotics™ demonstrated significant gastrointestinal symptom improvement and positive metabolomic profile changes.

Scientists from the University of Bari Medical School in Italy devised a new study with the dual aim of investigating the prevalence of fructose intolerance in individuals with FGIDs and the effectiveness of a 30-day treatment with a novel probiotic formulation (L. plantarum—KABP™-022, KABP™-023 strains—and P. acidilactici KABP™-021, commercialized under the brand Floradapt® Intensive G.I.™). Overall, the scientists showed the probiotic formulation improved symptoms in people with fructose intolerance on a fructose-free diet regimen and persistent symptomatology.[1]

Designing the study
The Portincasa et al. study began with a starting cohort of 69 Romanian adult subjects (mean age 53 ± 15 SD years, 26 males and 43 females) who had been referred to the outpatient unit of the 2nd Medical Clinic of the University hospital in Cluj-Napoca with suspected FGIDs (Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders).

As a first step to identify which of the study participants exhibited fructose intolerance while excluding those who also exhibited lactose intolerance, the cohort underwent a fructose and lactose breath test. Lactose and/or fructose intolerance was defined as an increase ≥20 ppm over the baseline associated with symptoms such as abdominal distension or bloating, flatulence, fullness, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within the 180 minutes of observation time. Following the breath test, lactose-intolerant individuals were excluded, while the remaining fructose-intolerant ones were enrolled into the study.

All subjects who tested positive to fructose intolerance underwent a fructose- and sorbitol-free diet for 30 days. During this time participants were not permitted to consume fibers or probiotics, alcoholic beverages or any treatments acting on intestinal motility – a requirement which continued throughout the study’s duration. All subjects who did not report an improvement of symptoms after the 30 fructose-free diet were enrolled in the trial and started the treatment with 1 capsule per day of Floradapt^® Intensive G.I.™ to act as a control, 14 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were also recruited and underwent the same treatment with the probiotic blend.

Evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms and a fecal sample collection from both groups was performed at two separate time points, before (T0) and after treatment (T30), yielding a set of results with great promise for FI suffers and supplement producers alike.

Evaluating the results
The effects of the Floradapt^® Intensive G.I.™ probiotic formulation on both groups produced fascinating results in regard to GI symptom improvement and metabolomic profile changes.

Following the 30-day daily probiotic treatment, all the study participants reported a significant improvement in bloating and abdominal pain, while the marked differences in VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) profile observed between the FI (Fructose Intolerant) and HC (healthy subjects) groups prior to the study were greatly reduced. These effects suggest that the Floradapt^® Intensive G.I.™ probiotic strain was not only effective in reliving the symptoms of FI, but also potentially brought individuals with FI closer to the healthy control group in terms of fructose absorption and general GI function.

The researchers also found a positive correlation between worsening GI clinical symptoms and higher levels of hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, a compound belonging to the Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEEs). These compounds have been shown to induce cellular oxidative stress of the intestinal epithelium, contributing to the dysfunction of the intestinal barrier.[2] Following the probiotic treatment, the authors detected an increase of carvacrol (a gastroprotective agent which has been shown to reduce inflammatory, nociceptive, and oxidative damage in mice[3]) in FI group. From this, experts can determine that people suffering from FGIDs tend to have a higher concentration of FAEEs in their intestines, but that daily supplementation of this probiotic formulation could help counteract their negative effects by decreasing the levels of FAEEs and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory agents like carvacrol.

Gut instinct: What does this mean for supplement producers?
The results of the Portincasa et al. study are extremely promising. Demonstrating a credible correlation between the L. plantarum and P. acidilactici probiotic blend and an improvement in GI symptoms linked to fructose intolerance. When studying probiotic strains, it’s important to first determine the intended health outcome, to then identify the best strain for the intended outcome.

Mike Kolifrath, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of the Probiotics Division at Kaneka, commented, “In 2022, there have been two published studies demonstrating the positive impact of Intensive G.I.™ on gut metabolism, including this study on its effects on fructose intolerance.  Dietary supplement brands that utilize the advanced properties of Intensive G.I.™ will be at the forefront of innovative gut health products.”  As more evidence comes to light about the use of particular strains for specific health targets, it could open the door to a variety of other applications and potentially change peoples’ lives for the better. The global probiotics market is forecast to achieve a CAGR of 3.7% between 2021-2026, so focusing attention on novel strains and blends appears to be a smart investment.[4]

About KANEKA® PROBIOTICS
Floradapt^® Intensive G.I.™ is part of the Kaneka^® Probiotics Portfolio, which are products based on a mechanistic approach to identify optimal strains for specific health applications. Our strain library collection has over 1,000+ strains strategically sourced from populations around the world with conserved microbiomes. The Kaneka^® Probiotics portfolio includes formulations for Immune, Upper Respiratory Tract, Digestion, GI Challenges, Oral-Gum Health, Colic, Women’s, Gut-Brain Axis, Cardiovascular, and Stress/Mood/Anxiety. We are committed to quality, innovation & science and have 20+ studies that are ongoing for areas in Sports Nutrition, Leaky Gut, Nutrition Absorption, Migraine, Halitosis, and many other disciplines.

About AB-Biotics™
AB-Biotics™ is a Spanish biotech company which is part of the KANEKA^® Group. AB-Biotics focuses on research, development, protection, and distribution of its own solutions, which contribute to improving people’s health and wellbeing. It has 2 divisions:

1. Functional Ingredients: probiotics and other nutraceuticals for pharmaceutical and food sectors
2. Genetics: genetic analyses for conducting pharmacogenetic studies which provide specialists with more information about the most effective therapies and doses for each individual.

[1] Portincasa, P.; Celano, G.; Serale, N.; Vitellio, P.; Calabrese, F.M.; Chira, A.; David, L.; Dumitrascu, D.L.; De Angelis, M. Clinical and Metabolomic Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici in Fructose Intolerant Patients. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2488. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu14122488

[2] Elamin, E.; Masclee, A.; Juuti-Uusitalo, K.; van Ijzendoorn, S.; Troost, F.; Pieters, H.J.; Dekker, J.; Jonkers, D. Fatty acid ethyl esters induce intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction via a reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism in a three-dimensional cell culture model. PLoS ONE 2013, 8, e58561. [CrossRef]

[3] De Santana Souza, M.T.; Teixeira, D.F.; de Oliveira, J.P.; Oliveira, A.S.; Quintans-Junior, L.J.; Correa, C.B.; Camargo, E.A. Protective effect of carvacrol on acetic acid-induced colitis. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017, 96, 313–319. [CrossRef]

[4] International Probiotics Association and Euromonitor International. Global probiotics market insights. 2021 Dec.

KANEKA, FLORADAPT, and KABP are registered or pending trademarks in the U.S. of Kaneka Corp. INTENSIVE G.I. is a common law trademark in the U.S. of Kaneka Corp. AB-BIOTICS is a common law trademark in the U.S. of AB-Biotics.