Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors
10:17

Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors

Published on: April 13, 2019

Oligosaccharides in feces of breast- and formula-fed babies

Simone Albrecht1, Henk A Schols, Diny van Zoeren

  • 1Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Wageningen University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Carbohydrate Research
|July 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Fecal oligosaccharide profiles differ between breast- and formula-fed preterm infants. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) show genetic patterns, while formula feeding results in similar, low-abundance profiles, indicating diet influences gut adaptation.

Area of Science:

  • Human infant nutrition
  • Gut microbiome studies
  • Glycomics

Background:

  • Limited knowledge exists on infant fecal oligosaccharide fate.
  • Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex and vary based on maternal genetics.
  • Formula-fed infants may have different gut oligosaccharide profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fecal oligosaccharide profiles in preterm infants.
  • To compare profiles between breast-, formula-, and mixed-fed infants.
  • To understand the role of diet and gastrointestinal adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-LIF-MS(n)) was used.
  • Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) aided complex profile interpretation.
  • Fecal samples from 27 preterm infants (2 months old) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Breast-fed infants exhibited characteristic HMO profiles reflecting secretor/non-secretor status.
  • Formula-fed infants showed similar, low-abundance oligosaccharide profiles, irrespective of galactooligosaccharide (GOS) supplementation.
  • Specific oligosaccharides (HexNAc-Hex-Hex, Hex-[Fuc]-HexNAc-Hex, HexNAc-[Fuc]-Hex-Hex, HexNAc-[Fuc]-Hex-HexNAc-Hex-Hex) indicated active gastrointestinal metabolization and linkage to host genotype-associated mucus layer.

Conclusions:

  • Infant feeding method significantly impacts fecal oligosaccharide presence.
  • Gastrointestinal adaptation plays a crucial role in metabolizing diet-related oligosaccharides.
  • Identified oligosaccharides may serve as biomarkers for gut mucus layer composition and host genetics.

More Related Videos

Recapitulating Suckling-to-Weaning Transition In Vitro using Fetal Intestinal Organoids08:15

Recapitulating Suckling-to-Weaning Transition In Vitro using Fetal Intestinal Organoids

Published on: November 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Oligosaccharide Assembly01:24

Oligosaccharide Assembly

Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Carbohydrate Metabolism01:36

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...