Health-conscious consumers are increasingly focusing on the gut microbiome, which is associated with immunity, mental wellness, and cognitive function. However, the use of probiotics—beneficial microorganisms that support gut health—can be limited by their need to survive processing and shelf life. In contrast, postbiotics, which consist of inanimate microorganisms or their components, can overcome these challenges.
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Brad Schwan, VP of Global Category Marketing at ADM, emphasizes the potential of postbiotics in nutrition innovation. "We think postbiotics are going to power what’s next when it comes to nutrition innovation," he stated. These compounds offer flexibility for manufacturers, allowing them to appeal to consumers at various stages of their wellness journeys. According to Schwan, postbiotics can be integrated into a wide array of food and beverage formats, which allows product developers to focus on their target audience without the limitations often associated with traditional probiotics.
He noted that brands can explore a wide variety of product categories, including frozen yogurt bites, gummies, powdered beverage sticks, carbonated soft drinks, and snacks. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) distinguishes between probiotics and postbiotics, defining probiotics as live microorganisms providing health benefits, while postbiotics are inanimate and tend to offer greater stability and formulation options. Schwan explained that postbiotics can survive harsh manufacturing conditions, such as high temperatures, and do not require refrigeration, maintaining efficacy throughout their shelf life.
Consumer research highlights a growing demand for products that support better sleep, weight management, and digestive health. ADM is aligning its postbiotic offerings to meet these needs. For instance, their Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic has received recognition for its potential benefits on the gut-brain axis, stress reduction, mood improvement, and sleep quality, even winning the Health Innovation award at the previous Food Ingredients Europe show. This postbiotic has been linked to better sleep duration and quality as well as a reduction in the symptoms related to the premenstrual cycle and menopause.
Additionally, Schwan mentioned another postbiotic, the Bifidobacterium longum strain (ES1), which shows promise for overall gut and digestive health, particularly in reducing bloating. Previous studies have indicated improvements in quality-of-life metrics compared to placebo treatments. Another notable product from ADM is the BPL1 postbiotic (B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT8145), which is backed by research suggesting it may aid in metabolic health, including the reduction of visceral fat and maintenance of a healthy waist circumference when combined with diet and exercise.
The ongoing research on the gut microbiome is expanding, with Schwan noting the significance of studies connecting gut health to various bodily functions, including brain and muscle interactions. ADM is committed to advancing health and wellness innovations focused on gut microbiome solutions, with 50 clinical studies currently examining different biotic strains to address consumer needs in areas of stress, sleep, mood, digestion, and metabolic health. As Schwan put it, the intersection of consumer demands and scientific research is essential for driving innovation in the biotic space.