Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT): A Human Milk Oligosaccharide for Infant Nutrition Research (CAS 14116-68-8)

Lacto-N-tetraose is a major human milk oligosaccharide (HMO). Its prebiotic properties make it a subject of research in infant nutrition, functional foods, and biomedicine.

Chemical information

Chemical name: Lacto-N-tetraose; common abbreviation: LNT. Molecular formula: C26H45NO21. Molecular weight: 707.63 g/mol. CAS number: 14116-68-8.

Structure and prebiotic activity

LNT is a linear tetrasaccharide with a lactose core and a terminal type I glycan motif. Its sequence is recognized and used as a growth substrate by certain beneficial gut bacteria, including some bifidobacteria. This specificity makes it useful for studying how individual HMOs shape the infant gut microbiota.

Applications

Infant formula research

Adding LNT to formula is one way researchers seek to reproduce aspects of the prebiotic activity of human milk. By supporting the growth of selected bifidobacteria, LNT may influence microbial colonization and the gut environment during early development.

Immune development and pathogen adhesion

Researchers study whether microbiota changes associated with LNT affect immune development, allergy, or infection. Some milk glycans can also act as decoy receptors: their resemblance to host cell-surface sugars may allow them to bind certain pathogens and interfere with adhesion. These are research mechanisms rather than established clinical outcomes for LNT.

Glycobiology and biomedical research

As a naturally occurring HMO, LNT is a tool for studying interactions among infant gut microbes, the developing immune system, and the intestinal barrier. Its defined glycan structure also makes it relevant to studies of cellular recognition, signaling, and potential glycan-based delivery systems.

Conclusion

LNT connects research on early-life nutrition with broader work on the biological roles and potential applications of defined glycans.

Prepared by KASONS. For research use only.