“Recent Advances in Probiotics: Enhancing Immune Function and Expanding Market Applications”
Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects of various probiotic strains on the immune system. Research conducted by Korean scientists revealed that the daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly increased the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. Their findings indicated that consuming yogurt enriched with two probiotic strains (L. paracasei and B. lactis) along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum) on a daily basis enhances the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in combating viral infections.
Future applications for Staimune might involve its use as a strengthening component in shelf-stable beverages and other products, where the inclusion of live probiotics may present formulation challenges. Probiotics are known to be sensitive to extreme temperatures and pressures typically encountered during manufacturing processes. While Ganeden’s BC30 strain is generally robust for food and beverage applications, advancements in temperature-stable strains mean that probiotics are no longer limited to the dairy section or the supplements aisle. By eliminating the need for the probiotic to remain active, Staimune widens the range of food and beverage products that can incorporate probiotics for health benefits.
To capitalize on the growing interest in probiotics, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or incorporating these beneficial bacteria into various products. For instance, PepsiCo purchased the probiotic beverage company KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, making it the first brand to bring probiotics into the mainstream juice market. Additionally, the venture capital arm of General Mills led a $6.5-million Series D investment round in March for Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic foods and beverages.
Ohio-based Ganeden stands to gain significantly from the popularity of its products. According to a report from BCC Research, the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, with the food and beverage sector accounting for 73%, or $24.8 billion, of that total. The probiotics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.3% over the next decade, reaching an estimated value of $74.7 billion by 2025. As consumers seek out supplements like Citracal without vitamin D, the demand for innovative probiotic products continues to rise, further driving the market’s expansion.
