MFLNH-I—an innovative raw material for next-generation nutritional and therapeutic oligosaccharides CAS 341511-38-4

Mono-fucosyllacto-N-hexaose I (MFLNH-I) is an important member of the human milk oligosaccharide (HMOs) family and a complex functional oligosaccharide that has attracted much attention. It is not only a key factor in early infant nutrition and immune development, but has also become a research hotspot in the fields of biomedicine, functional food and microecological treatment in recent years. As a bioactive ingredient naturally present in human milk, MFLNH-I is gradually moving from basic research to clinical application, showing great potential to become the next generation of nutritional supplements and disease intervention targets. chemical information Chemical name: Monofucosyllactose-N-hexose I Common name: MFLNH-I Chemical formula: C₄₆H₇₈N₂O₃₅ Molecular weight: 1219.11 g/mol CAS number: 341511-38-4 Structural features MFLNH-I belongs to the lacto-N-hexose series of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Its structural characteristics reflect highly specific biosynthesis and functional orientation: Fucosylation modification: MFLNH-I is based on the core structure of lactose and connects the fucosyl group through glycosidic bonds such as α-1,2/α-1,3/α-1,4. This modification not only enhances the structural diversity of oligosaccharides, but also directly determines its specific recognition and binding capabilities with biological macromolecules such as microorganisms and host cell surface lectins. Lacto-N-hexose skeleton: Its skeleton continues the characteristics of lacto-N-series oligosaccharides, including N-acetylglucosamine, galactose and glucose units, forming a scaffold with certain rigidity and spatial orientation, providing a structural basis for receptor recognition. Simulating the conformation of natural HMOs: Through precise chemical or enzymatic synthesis, MFLNH-I is highly consistent in structure with the corresponding molecules present in natural human milk, ensuring its reliability and activity in biological research and applications. Main applications and advantages 1. Key components of infant and young child nutrition and health Human milk oligosaccharides are the third largest solid component in breast milk. MFLNH-I, as one of the representative structures, plays multiple roles in supporting the healthy development of infants: Prebiotic effect: Selectively promotes the colonization and proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, helps establish a healthy early intestinal microecology, and enhances intestinal barrier function. Immunomodulation: By simulating the sugar structure on the surface of pathogens, it blocks the adhesion of bacteria, viruses and intestinal epithelial cells, acting as a "bait receptor" to reduce the risk of infection. At the same time, it can regulate the host immune response and promote the formation of immune tolerance. Brain and cognitive development support: Some HMOs can enter the circulatory system and may have a positive impact on nervous system development and cognitive function. As a component with a clear structure, MFLNH-I is an important tool for studying related mechanisms. 2. Microecological treatment and intestinal health product development With the deepening of concepts such as the "gut-brain axis" and "gut-liver axis", therapies targeting intestinal flora are receiving increasing attention: Precise regulation of flora: MFLNH-I can be used as a high-end prebiotic formula ingredient to develop functional foods or special medical foods that regulate specific bacterial strains to serve patients with constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. Synthetic Biology Delivery Vehicles: Their structure can be engineered or used as the recognition part of a targeted delivery system to guide the colonization of drugs or probiotics to specific areas of the intestine. 3. Biomedical research and drug discovery platform Glycobiology research tool: MFLNH-I is a valuable standard and probe molecule for studying the role of fucosylation in cell recognition, signal transduction, and pathogen infection. Development of new anti-adhesion therapies: Based on its mechanism of blocking pathogen adhesion, it can be used to develop new inhibitors against bacteria and viruses (such as rotavirus and norovirus). Cancer and immunity research: Certain fucosylated oligosaccharides are abnormally expressed on the surface of tumor cells. MFLNH-I and its derivatives can be used to study tumor immune evasion mechanisms, or as potential adjuvants/carriers for tumor vaccines. 4. Cosmetics and skin health applications Recent studies have found that HMOs can also be used for skin care: Skin microecological balance: Topical application helps maintain healthy skin flora and relieve inflammatory skin problems such as atopic dermatitis. Moisturizing and barrier repair: Its oligosaccharide structure has a certain moisturizing ability and can promote the expression of skin barrier-related proteins. Conclusion Monofucosyllactose-N-hexose I (MFLNH-I) is not just an oligosaccharide compound, it is an important bridge molecule connecting nutrition, microbiology and immunotherapy. From laying a healthy foundation for infants in early life, to intervening in adult metabolic and immune diseases, from deciphering host-microbe interaction mechanisms, to developing new anti-infection and anti-tumor strategies, its application prospects are broad and far-reaching. The above information is provided by the editor of Caisens Biology and is for scientific research only.