Gut-Health Functional Foods
Scouting, testing, and ranking next-generation probiotic-prebiotic combinations that survive manufacturing, earn credible health claims, and appeal to a broad consumer base.
Client
Multinational Food & Beverage Co.
Objective
Identify & Prioritise Synbiotic Pairs
Timeline
10-Week Program
Key Focus
Strain Survivability & Claims
The Challenge: From Lab Insights to Everyday Foods
While the science of synbiotics (probiotics + prebiotics) is promising, translating it into successful consumer products is difficult. Beneficial strains often die during processing or storage, health effects are highly strain-specific, and one-size-fits-all products can be unreliable due to microbiome variability. On top of this, regulatory agencies demand robust human data to substantiate any health claims.
A 5-Phase, 10-Week Execution Strategy
Weeks 1-2: Landscape Scan
Searched 2,500 papers and 1,300 patents to shortlist 50 probiotic strains and 20 prebiotic fibers.
Weeks 3-4: Bench Screening
Ran heat-shock and acid-tolerance tests; co-cultured strains with fibers to measure growth boost.
Weeks 5-6: Pilot Formulation
Encapsulated top 12 pairs and processed them through pilot trials to measure CFU retention.
Weeks 7-8: Evidence & Claims Mapping
Matched each pair to published human data and drafted acceptable claim language for US and EU markets.
Weeks 9-10: Prioritisation & Roadmap Delivered top-5 ranked ingredient systems with cost models and a 12-month path to market.
Key Outcomes: A Ready-to-Launch Product Pipeline
Our program delivered a shortlist of high-priority synbiotic systems with clear performance data, cost models, and a regulatory roadmap.
5 High-Priority Systems
Each system identified retained >80% viability after six months at ambient humidity.
Claim-Ready Pair
One *Lactobacillus plantarum* + resistant-starch pair showed a 3-log CFU growth boost and met evidence thresholds for a "Helps maintain regularity" claim.
Competitive Costing
Encapsulation cost was modeled at <$0.02 per serving, competitive with current premium yogurt formulations.
Strategic Impact
The client approved pilot production of the top two synbiotic blends for a granola bar and a smoothie. With a clear evidence dossier and claim language in hand, the company is positioned to launch a science-verified gut-health product line in three regions within the next 18 months.