Functional foods potential: ADM expanding probiotic opportunities in Australia and China
ADM’s spore-forming probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111™ was approved by the National Health Commission (NHC) in China in April.
Subsequently, this ingredient was approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in June.
This has allowed the company to explore new applications for products that support gut health.
“In an era where consumers are increasingly recognising the important role the gut plays in both digestion and wellness, microbiome solutions such as probiotics have become essential in promoting holistic health,” said Helen Hu, president of health & wellness APAC at ADM.
Research has shown that bacterial spores like DE111TM have a higher survival rate during the acidic stomach passage and better stability during the processing and storage of food products – harsh formulation environments that may damage conventional probiotics.
“This is crucial in today’s market, where the demand for functional foods and beverages is on the rise – [a resilient ingredient] translates to stability and efficacy even under harsh processing conditions, fluctuating pH levels, temperatures up to 100°C, and an extended shelf life,” said Hu.
These characteristics are ideal for a variety of applications and formats such as dietary supplements, foods, and beverages, allowing brands to develop products that support digestive and immune health.
Possible applications include granola, oatmeal, chocolate, pancake mixes, and beverages like kombucha, wellness shots, smoothies, and coffee.
These will suit the Australian and Chinese markets, where gut health is dominant in the preventive wellness trend.
About 78% of Chinese consumers and 81% of Australians recognise the link between digestive health and overall well-being, according to the Digestive Health Global Study by FMGC Gurus.
Hu said that in China, DE111™ is increasingly incorporated into a variety of food and beverage products including yoghurt, milk powders, milk-melt candy, cereals and jelly.
It is also widely used in dietary supplements including capsules, gummies, and stick packs.
As DE111™ does not need refrigeration, these dietary supplements are convenient and effective ways to integrate probiotics into daily routines for adults and children.
The ingredient is said to be the first Bacillus subtilis strain to be approved by the TGA in Australia.
It is also a pioneering food ingredient in the Chinese market.
Previously, Deerland announced that DE111™ has been included as a food ingredient under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Code. This was prior to its acquisition by ADM in November 2021.
The science
A clinical trial published in Food and Nutrition Sciences showed that DE111TM can maintain healthy levels of cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides. Adults who took 5 × 109 CFU/capsule of B. subtilis DE111TM daily for 20 days maintained their triglycerides levels, while there was a significant increase in the control group that took the placebo. Glucose levels in the probiotic group was also significantly reduced.
In another clinical trial published in Sports, athletes who took one billion CFU of B. subtilis DE111TM daily for 12 weeks had decreased levels of TNF-α, which indicates the potential to aid muscle recovery and improve athletic performance.
DE111TM supplementation also introduced subtle but positive changes in the microbiome of children between two to six years old, according to an RCT published in Beneficial Microbes.
When asked about the company’s future plans, Hu said it will focus on expanding its portfolio of biotics to meet the growing demand for preventive wellness solutions in APAC.
Research is being conducted at ADM’s Research & Development Centre in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, where the solutions will be tailored for Asian consumers.
