Recent studies have demonstrated the positive impact of various probiotic strains on the immune system. Research conducted by South Korean scientists revealed that daily intake of probiotic yoferric pyrophosphate hydrategurt enhances the activity of crucial immune cells in older adults. They found that consuming yogurt with two specific probiotic strains, Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium lactis, along with heat-treated bacteria like Lactobacillus plantarum, significantly boosts the function of natural killer cells, which play a vital role in defending against viral infections.
Future applications for Staimune could involve its use as a fortifying ingredient in shelf-stable beverages and other products where live probiotics might create formulation challenges. Probiotics are sensitive to extreme temperature and pressure conditions commonly encountered in manufacturing. While Ganeden’s BC30 strain is known for its resilience in food and beverage applications, innovations in temperature-stable ferrous fumarate formulations have paved the way for probiotics to extend beyond the dairy section and supplements aisle. Staimune, which does not require the probiotic to remain active, broadens the range of food and beverage products that can incorporate probiotics for added health benefits.
To capitalize on the growing interest in probiotics, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or integrating beneficial bacteria into various products. For instance, PepsiCo purchased the probiotic beverage brand KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, marking it as the first brand to offer probiotics in the mainstream juice aisle. Additionally, the venture capital arm 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 Ganeden stands to gain significantly from the success of its products. According to a BCC Research report, 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. With the incorporation of cacitrate in these formulations, the potential for enhancing the efficacy and stability of probiotics is further increased, assuring their beneficial effects can be widely experienced across diverse products.