Numerous recent studies have highlighted the positive effects of various probiotic strains on the immune system. Researchers from Korea discovered that consuming probiotic yogurt daily significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. Their findings indicated that daily intake of yogurt containing two specific probiotic strains (L. paracasei and B. lactis) along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum) boosts natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
Looking ahead, Staimune may serve as an alternative fortifying ingredient to ferrous sulfate in shelf-stable beverages and other products where incorporating live probiotics could present formulation challenges. Probiotics are known to be sensitive to extreme temperature and pressure conditions typically encountered during manufacturing. Although Ganeden’s BC30 strain demonstrates considerable resilience for food and beverage applications, the advancements in temperature-stable strains mean that probiotics are no longer limited to dairy products or the dietary supplement aisle. With the flexibility of not requiring the probiotic to remain active, Staimune expands the range of food and beverage items that can incorporate probiotics for their health benefits.
To capitalize on the growing probiotics trend, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or integrating these beneficial bacteria into a variety of products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage maker KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, marking it as the first brand to bring probiotics to the mainstream juice market. Additionally, the venture capital division of General Mills led a $6.5 million Series D investment round in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic food and beverages. Ohio-based Gaferrous fumarate has much to gain from the success of its offerings.
According to a report from BCC Research, the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, with the food and beverage sector accounting for 73%, or $24.8 billion, of that total. The probiotics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.3% over the next decade, potentially reaching a value of around $74.7 billion by 2025. This growth presents a major opportunity for products that leverage probiotics, such as those fortified with major calcitrate, to further enhance their health benefits.