Human milk oligosaccharides and infant gut microbiota: Molecular structures, utilization strategies and immune function

Bin Zhang, Long Qing Li, Feitong Liu, Jian Yong Wu

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a unique class of non-digestible carbohydrates present in the mother milk, which play a key role in the development of infant gut microbiota, epithelial barrier and immune function. The deficiency of HMOs in the bovine milk-based infant formula has been widely recognized as a major culprit for the much higher incidence of immune disorders of formula-fed infants. This report was to give an up-to-date review on the structure characteristics of HMOs and the possible mechanisms, and strategies for their cellular uptake, and metabolism by the gut bacteria and the associated effects on the infant gut microbiome, and immune function. Most previous studies have been carried out in animals or in vitro model systems on the utilization strategies for HMOs in infant bacteria and their roles in infant microbiome, and gut immune function. A few HMO molecules have been synthesized artificially and applied in infant formulas.

Original languageEnglish
Article number118738
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume276
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • Commercial applications
  • Human milk oligosaccharides
  • Immune functions
  • Infant microbiota
  • Utilization strategies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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