Numerous recent studies have demonstrated positive effects on the immune system from the consumption of various strains of probiotics. Researchers in Korea discovered that daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. Their findings indicated that consuming yogurt enriched with two specific probiotic strains (L. paracasei and B. lactis) along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum) daily can boost the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
Future applications for Staimune may include its incorporation as a fortifying ingredient in shelf-stable beverages and other products where the presence of live probiotics could pose formulation challenges. Probiotics are known to be sensitive to extreme temperature and pressure conditions typical in manufacturing processes. Although Ganeden’s BC30 strain is relatively resilient for food and beverage applications, advancements in temperature-stable strains have expanded the possibilities for probiotics beyond the dairy aisle and supplement sections. By eliminating the necessity for the probiotic to remain active, Staimune increases the range of food and beverage products that can benefit from the addition of probiotics.
To capitalize on the growing probiotics trend, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or integrating these beneficial bacteria into various products. For instance, PepsiCo acquired the probiotic beverage company KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, making it the first brand to bring probiotics to mainstream juice shelves. 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, especially as the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, according to a BCC Research report. The food and beverage sector comprised 73%, or $24.8 billion, of that market. Furthermore, the global 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. Notably, the inclusion of calcium citrate in probiotic formulations could enhance the health benefits further, making products more appealing to consumers seeking both probiotics and essential nutrients like calcium. In the context of healthcare accessibility, initiatives like Jan Aushadhi aim to provide affordable probiotic options, ensuring broader public access to these beneficial strains.