6'-sialyllactose—the next generation of healthy breast milk oligosaccharide core ingredient 35890-39-2

6'-Sialylactose (N-Acetylneuramin-lactose, referred to as 6'-SL) is one of the most important sialylated components in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and is known as the "nutritional carrier of human milk wisdom." It not only exists naturally in human breast milk, but is also an indispensable key active ingredient in the fields of modern infant nutrition, functional food and high-end medical nutrition.

Chemical Information

Chemical name: N-acetylneuramidyl-lactose

Common name: 6'-sialyllactose

English name: N-Acetylneuramin-lactose

Chemical formula: C₂₃H₃₉NO₁₉

Molecular weight: 633.55 g/mol

CAS number: 35890-39-2

Structural features

6'-sialyllactose is a trisaccharide composed of a molecule of sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, Neu5Ac) connected to the 6-hydroxyl group of lactose galactosyl through an α-2,6 glycosidic bond. Its structural features include:

Unique sialylation structure: As a terminal sugar unit, sialic acid gives the molecule strong electronegative properties and molecular recognition capabilities, allowing it to specifically bind to a variety of pathogens, cell surface receptors and immune molecules.

Bifunctional sugar chain structure: It combines the nutritional basis of lactose with the biological activity regulating function of sialic acid to form a "nutrition-defense" integrated molecule.

Excellent stability and bioavailability: It shows good stability in the gastrointestinal environment, and can be specifically metabolized by intestinal flora to exert prebiotic functions.

Main applications and advantages

1. High-end nutritional enhancement ingredients for infant formula

Simulate breast milk function: As one of the core components of HMOs, the addition of 6'-SL can make infant formula food closer to the natural composition of breast milk, supporting the development of the immune system and cognitive health of infants and young children.

Promote brain development: Sialic acid is an important component of gangliosides and glycoproteins and plays a key role in the formation of brain synapses and the improvement of cognitive abilities. Clinical studies show that infants and young children who consume sialylated oligosaccharides perform better on neurobehavioral development scores.

Regulate intestinal flora: Selectively promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria, inhibit the colonization of pathogenic bacteria, build a healthy intestinal microecology, and reduce the risk of diarrhea and infection.

2. Immune regulation and infection defense

Anti-pathogen adsorption: The structure of sialic acid is similar to the adhesins of various pathogens (such as rotavirus, influenza virus, Helicobacter pylori) and can competitively bind to intestinal epithelial cell receptors to block pathogen infection.

Regulate inflammatory response: By affecting immune cell signaling pathways (such as the Siglec receptor family), it helps balance Th1/Th2 immune responses and relieve excessive inflammation. It is suitable for allergy prevention and auxiliary intervention in immune-related diseases.

3. Adult health and functional food innovation

Intestinal barrier repair: Suitable for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., to help repair the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Nutrition and cognitive support for the elderly: As a neuroprotective sugar component, it can be used as a nutritional supplement for middle-aged and elderly people to help maintain cognitive functions.

Sports nutrition and immune enhancement: Suitable for high-intensity exercise groups, relieving post-exercise immune suppression and promoting recovery.

4. Biomedicine and scientific research tools

Drug delivery carrier: Utilizing its target recognition properties, it can be used as a targeting ligand for anti-cancer drugs or gene delivery systems.

Development of diagnostic markers and reagents: sialylated sugar chains are abnormally expressed in cancer and immune diseases. 6'-SL and its derivatives can be used to develop related detection reagents.

Cell culture and tissue engineering: As an additive to cell culture media, it promotes stem cell differentiation and neural tissue construction.

Conclusion

6'-sialyllactose is not only a sugar, but also a bioactive bridge connecting nutrition and health. From giving infants and young children "breast milk-like" immune protection and neurodevelopmental advantages to innovative applications in adult functional foods and medicine, its value is constantly being discovered. With the advancement of synthetic biology and nutritional science, 6'-SL is expected to become an indispensable core ingredient in the health industry.

The above information is provided by the editor of KASONS and is for scientific research only.