Functional Significance of Different Milk Constituents in Modulating the Gut Microbiome and Infant Health

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol. 70; no. 13; pp. 3929 - 3947
• Main Authors: Yadav, Monica, Kapoor, Ayushi, Verma, Aparna, Ambatipudi, Kiran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 06-04-2022
• Subjects: Adult; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant Health; Microbiota; Milk, Human - microbiology; Oligosaccharides; microbiota; milk fat globules; human milk; milk oligosaccharides; brain−gut microbiota; host−microbe interaction
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c00335

Human milk, the gold standard for optimal nourishment, controls the microbial composition of infants by either enhancing or limiting bacterial growth. The milk fat globule membrane has gained interest in gut-related functions and cognitive development. The membrane proteins can directly interact with probiotic bacteria, influencing their survival and adhesion through gastrointestinal transit, whereas membrane phospholipids increase the residence time of probiotic bacteria in the gut. The commensal bacteria in milk act as the initial inoculum in building up the gut colonization of an infant, whereas oligosaccharides promote proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. Interestingly, milk extracellular vesicles are also involved in influencing the microbiota composition but are not well-explored. This review highlights the contribution of different milk components in modulating the infant gut microbiota, particularly the fat globule membrane, and the complex interplay between host– and brain–gut microbiota signaling affecting infant and adult health positively.