Bunge Loders Croklaan has launched Betapol Select, a premium lipid ingredient for infant milk formula that is inspired by natural variations in the composition of human breast milk.
It is the company’s first product line that mimics the fat composition of Chinese mother’s milk.
OPO and OPL are uniquely structured lipids naturally present in mother’s milk.
The presence of palmitic acid in the center position (SN-2 palmitate) has been clinically proven, in the past decades, to improve energy intake, increase bone mineral density, reduce constipation, increase healthy gut bacteria, reduce crying, and improve sleep.
Research into mother’s milk fat
Recent research into mother’s milk has shown regional differences.
In Western mothers’ milk fat, OPO is the most prevalent triglyceride, followed by OPL (Oleic-Palmitic- Linoleic).
In Chinese mother’s milk, it is the other way around: the fat composition contains a higher level of OPL, followed by OPO.
To mimic this balance, Betapol Select provides a high level of SN-2 palmitate with the right combination of OPL and OPO triglycerides.
“Data from Chinese mother’s milk gave us confidence in introducing Betapol® Select to the Chinese market and respond to the needs of personalization that parents are looking for in premium infant nutrition”, says Dr. Wiola Mi, Global Human Nutrition Science Lead of the new generation Betapol®.
“Breastfeeding provides babies with the best start in life, but when breastfeeding is not an option choosing the right infant formula is key for babies’ healthy growth and development,” says Dr. Wiola Mi, global human nutrition science lead of Betapol.
“While mother’s milk fat contains only 3-4% fat, it provides 50% of a baby’s energy intake in the first six months.”
“Especially designed for the needs of Chinese babies, Betapol Select provides the right OPL-OPO balance to mimic Chinese mother’s milk fat and, at the same time, comply with the current and upcoming Chinese GB standards for infant and toddler formula.”
