Data published in Nutrition & Metabolism indicated that the bacterium Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (GanedenBC30) add to earlier studies that showed that the probiotic may boost amino acid absorption from plant protein sources.
“In this respect, the addition of BC30 to various protein sources may allow for higher amounts of amino acids to be absorbed into the blood, which can subsequently reduce the protein dose required to be efficacious,” wrote the researchers from Lindenwood University (Missouri) and Increnovo (Wisconsin).
“This outcome would be particularly attractive for an aging population who typically struggles to consume enough protein both per meal and across an entire-24 h day.”
Kerry Comment
Commenting on the study’s findings, Donald Cox, PhD, Director of R&D for GanedenBC30, said: “This research is a major development in probiotic science and one that offers new opportunities for innovative food and beverage formulation. While other research has demonstrated the benefits of enhanced protein utilization for athletes and seniors, it is also now a mainstream consumer goal. GanedenBC30 is already supported by over 25 papers. Now, in addition to its many benefits for gut and immune health, manufacturers can point to new evidence that it supports protein absorption.
“This study is an exciting addition to the wealth of science that makes GanedenBC30 the leading spore-forming probiotic.”
Study details
The researchers recruited 14 men and 16 women with an average age of 26 to participate in their randomized, double-blind, crossover study. The participants were randomly assigned to ingest 25 grams per day of milk protein concentrate (Ultranor, Kerry’s nutritional milk protein concentrate) with or without the GanedenBC30 (one billion CFUs) for two weeks. This was separated by a three-week “washout period” before they were crossed over to the other group.
Results showed that addition of GanedenBC30 to the protein source led to significantly greater areas under the curve of arginine and isoleucine, compared to other group.
In addition, adding GanedenBC30 to the milk protein increased the concentration maximum (Cmax) for a range of amino acids, including arginine, serine, ornithine, methionine, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, isoleucine, and tyrosine, and for all the essential amino acids and total amino acids.
The time to reach Cmax (ie. a faster absorption) was observed for glutamine, citrulline, threonine, and alanine in the GanedenBC30 group, said the researchers.
“These results provide additional evidence that adding probiotics to various forms of protein can improve the appearance of amino acids in the blood,” they wrote.
“Due to the spore-forming ability of BC30, it has been shown to be able to survive the gut and produce certain enzymes (alkaline proteases), which facilitates its ability to heighten protein and carbohydrate digestion. Findings from this study provide further support of BC30′s ability to survive the human gut and support previous in vitro work that document its ability to aid in the breakdown of protein.”
Source: Nutrition & Metabolism
2020, Volume 17, Article number: 93, doi: 10.1186/s12986-020-00515-2
“Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 improves amino acid absorption from milk protein”
Authors: R.A. Stecker, et al.
