LONDON – Unilever is partnering with biotechnology firm Holobiome, Cambridge, Mass., to develop meals and beverage substances that enhance psychological well-being by influencing particular intestine micro organism.
The partnership seeks to capitalize on the gut-brain axis the place microbes throughout the gastrointestinal tract talk with the mind. Facilitators of the communication are neurotransmitters which were proven to have a stimulatory or calming impact on the physique, in accordance with Unilever.
Holobiome has recognized micro organism within the intestine that seem to speak with the mind. The partnership between Unilever and Holobiome intends to establish particular meals substances that work together with the micro organism and incorporate the substances into completed merchandise.
“Greater than 70% of customers are involved that stress and anxiousness are having an impression on their well being,” mentioned Carla Hillhorst, government vp of meals R&D for Unilever. “In flip, customers are more and more looking for foods and drinks merchandise that may have a optimistic impression on their total well being and psychological well-being.”
The analysis will deal with substances which have a prebiotic potential.
“If we will map this out at a person ingredient degree, there’s a possibility to make extra knowledgeable dietary decisions and enhance well being through a number of marketplaces,” mentioned Philip Strandwitz, chief government officer and co-founder of Holobiome. “Our platform — powered by our Human Microbiome Atlas, which accommodates practically all recognized members of the intestine microbiome — permits us to make this map for particular capabilities associated to the gut-brain-axis. We’re excited to work with Unilever and assist discover the way forward for meals.”
The partnership with Holobiome is an instance of how Unilever is rethinking the meals and beverage product improvement course of.
In Could 2021, for instance, Unilever introduced a partnership with ENOUGH to develop plant-based meat alternate options. Based mostly in Glasgow, Scotland, ENOUGH makes use of a zero-waste fermentation course of to develop protein.
One other partnership introduced in 2020 is with Algenuity, an organization researching the viability of microalgae as an ingredient in meals and drinks. The businesses are exploring the potential of bringing meals containing microalgae to market.
