Recent studies have highlighted the positive effects of various probiotic strains on the immune system. Researchers in Korea discovered that the daily intake of probiotic yogurt significantly enhanced the activity of essential immune cells in older adults. Their findings indicated that consuming yogurt containing two specific probiotic strains (L. paracasei and B. lactis) along with heat-treated bacteria (L. plantarum) daily boosts the function of natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in defending against viral infections.
In terms of future applications, Staimune may serve as a beneficial ingredient in shelf-stable beverages and other products where incorporating live probiotics could be challenging. Probiotics are typically sensitive to the temperature and pressure extremes encountered during manufacturing processes. Although Ganeden’s BC30 strain is largely robust for food and beverage applications, advancements in temperature-stable strains allow probiotics to be included beyond just dairy products or supplements. With the flexibility of Staimune, there is no need for the probiotic to remain active, which broadens the range of food and beverage items that can incorporate probiotics for health benefits, including those that require specific calcium citrate dosage.
To capitalize on the growing popularity of probiotics, manufacturers have begun acquiring probiotic companies or integrating these beneficial bacteria into a variety of products. For instance, PepsiCo purchased the probiotic beverage company KeVita last fall and introduced its Tropicana Essentials Probiotics line earlier this year, marking it as the first brand to bring probiotics into the mainstream juice market. Furthermore, General Mills’ venture capital arm led a $6.5 million Series D funding round in March to support Farmhouse Culture, a startup focused on fermented and probiotic food and beverages.
Ohio-based Ganeden stands to benefit significantly from the success of its products, especially considering that the global probiotics market reached $34 billion in sales in 2015, as reported by BCC Research. The food and beverage sector accounted for 73% of that figure, equating to $24.8 billion. The global probiotics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.3% over the next decade, aiming to achieve a value of around $74.7 billion by 2025. This growth trajectory underscores the importance of incorporating elements such as calcium citrate dosage in various formulations to enhance their appeal and effectiveness.