INFANT FORMULA HAVING DECREASED PROTEIN CONTENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to low protein nutritional compositions, such as low protein infant formulas, and uses thereof. The nutritional compositions are suitable for administration to pediatric subjects. The disclosed nutritional compositions may provide additive and/or synergistic beneficial health effects.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recent scientific evidence suggests that protein needs in pediatric subjects, especially infants, are not as high as previously thought. For example, while several regulatory minimums require at least 2.9 g/100 kcal of a protein source for infant formula, Applicants have determined that that lower levels of protein may better meet infant's needs. However, generating such a low protein formula may pose challenges in meeting regulatory standards for the required levels of essential amino acids. Accordingly, there exists the need for a low protein infant formula that is still able to provide certain levels of amino acids.

[0003] In addition to lowering to the overall protein content of the infant formula, the Applicants have also determined the peptide composition of human breast milk (see Fig. 1) and performed in silico analyses to predict which proteases produced the peptides found in human milk (see, Fig. 1). The analysis of the peptide composition (i.e., "peptidome") of human breast milk has led to the discovery of methods for hydrolyzing non-human (e.g., bovine) protein sources using proteases as described herein, to provide a peptide composition for use in a nutritional composition for pediatric subjects that are closer to human milk than prior art compositions. Thus, the present disclosure relates in part to the preparation of hydrolysates for use in pediatric nutritional compositions, e.g., an infant formula, wherein the hydrolysates are prepared so as to comprise a peptide composition closer to that found in human milk.

[0004] Given the need to provide nutritional compositions, such as infant formulas, that provide the infant or pediatric subject with amounts and compositions of protein sources that are closer to human breast milk, the nutritional compositions of the present disclosure address this need.

[0005] Thus, provided herein are nutritional compositions, i.e. infant formulas, that contain lower amounts of protein but still have the required levels of essential amino acids. Additionally, provided are infant formulas that include casein hydrolysates that have a peptide composition close to that found in human milk. In some embodiments, provided are infant formulas that include a blend of intact protein, a beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate, and a blend of free amino acids BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Briefly, the present disclosure is directed, in an embodiment, to a low protein infant formula. In some embodiments, the infant formula includes from a bout 1.6 g/100 kcal to about 3.0 g/100 kcal of protein or a protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein source includes a blend of intact protein, beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate, and free amino acids. [0007] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition includes from about 1.6 g/100 kcal to about 3.0 g/100 kcal of a protein source or protein equivalent source in combination with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid and/or arachidonic acid, one or more probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), sphingomyelin, inositol, vitamin D, and combinations thereof. [0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the disclosure and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure as it is claimed. The description serves to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. Other and further features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a pie chart of human milk peptidome parent proteins. The endogenous peptidome of human milk (n = 27) was determined by LC-MS/MS based peptidomics. The largest number of peptides originated from casein, in particular beta-casein.

[0011] Fig. 2 shows an enzyme prediction of the total human milk peptidome. The endogenous peptidome of human milk (n=27) was determined by LC-MS/MS based peptidomics and using EnzymePredictor software proteases were predicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Reference now will be made in detail to the em bodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are set forth herein below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the nutritional composition of the present disclosu re and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present d isclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one em bodiment, can be used with another em bodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0013] Thus, it is intended that the present disclosu re covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in or are apparent from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. [0014] The present disclosure relates generally to low protein infant formulas, more specifically infant formulas having a protein content of less tha n a bout 3.0 g/100 kcal. The low protein infant formulas may be formulated with other nutrients disclosed herein.

[0015] "Nutritional composition" means a su bstance or formulation that satisfies at least a portion of a su bject's nutrient requirements. The terms "nutritional(s)", "nutritional formula(s)", "enteral nutritional(s)", and "nutritional supplement(s)" are used as non-limiting examples of nutritional composition(s) throughout the present d isclosure. Moreover, "nutritional composition(s)" may refer to liquids, powders, gels, pastes, solids, ta blets, capsules, concentrates, suspensions, or ready-to-use forms of enteral formulas, oral formu las, formulas for infants, formulas for pediatric su bjects, formulas for children, growing-up milks and/or formulas for adults. [0016] "Pediatric su bject" means a human less than 13 years of age. In some em bodiments, a pediatric su bject refers to a human su bject that is between birth and 8 years old. In other em bodiments, a pediatric su bject refers to a human su bject between 1 and 6 years of age. In still further em bodiments, a pediatric su bject refers to a huma n su bject between 6 and 12 years of age. The term "pediatric su bject" may refer to infants (preterm or fullterm) and/or children, as described below. [0017] "Infant" means a human subject ranging in age from birth to not more than one year and includes infants from 0 to 12 months corrected age. The phrase "corrected age" means an infant's chronological age minus the amount of time that the infant was born premature. Therefore, the corrected age is the age of the infant if it had been carried to full term. The term infant includes low birth weight infants, very low birth weight infants, and preterm infants. "Preterm" means an infant born before the end of the 37 ^th week of gestation. "Full term" means an infant born after the end of the 37 ^th week of gestation.

[0018] "Child" means a subject ranging in age from 12 months to about 13 years. In some embodiments, a child is a subject between the ages of 1 and 12 years old. In other embodiments, the terms "children" or "child" refer to subjects that are between one and about six years old, or between about seven and about 12 years old. In other embodiments, the terms "children" or "child" refer to any range of ages between 12 months and about 13 years.

[0019] "Infant formula" means a composition that satisfies at least a portion of the nutrient requirements of an infant. In the United States, the content of an infant formula is dictated by the federal regulations set forth at 21 C.F. . Sections 100, 106, and 107. The term "infant formula" also includes starter infant formula and follow-on formula.

[0020] The term "starter infant formula" means an infant formula for use during the first four to six months of the life of the infant.

[0021] The term "follow-on formula" means an infant formula intended to use by an infant aged from four months or six months to 12 months of age.

[0022] The term "medical food" refers enteral compositions that are formulated or intended for the dietary management of a disease or disorder. A medical food may be a food for oral ingestion or tube feeding (nasogastric tube), may be labeled for the dietary management of a specific medical disorder, disease or condition for which there are distinctive nutritional requirements, and may be intended to be used under medical supervision.

[0023] The term "peptide" as used herein describes linear molecular chains of amino acids, including single chain molecules or their fragments. The peptides described herein include no more than 50 total amino acids. Peptides may further form oligomers or multimers consisting of at least two identical or different molecules. Furthermore, peptidomimetics of such peptides where amino acid(s) and/or peptide bond(s) have been replaced by functional analogs are also encompassed by the term "peptide". Such fu nctional analogues may include, but are not limited to, all known amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino acids such as selenocysteine.

[0024] The term "peptide" may also refer to naturally modified peptides where the modification is effected, for example, by glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation and similar modification which are well known in the art. In some em bodiments, the peptide component is distinguished from a protein source also disclosed herein. Further, peptides may, for example, be produced recombinantly, semi-synthetically, synthetically, or obtained from natural sources such as after hydrolysation of proteins, including but not limited to casein, all according to methods known in the art. [0025] The term "molar mass distribution" when used in reference to a hydrolyzed protein or protein hydrolysate pertains to the molar mass of each peptide present in the protein hydrolysate. For example, a protein hyd rolysate having a molar mass distribution of greater than 500 Daltons means that each peptide included in the protein hydrolysate has a molar mass of at least 500 Daltons. To produce a protein hydrolysate having a molar mass distribution of greater than 500 Daltons, a protein hydrolysate may be su bjected to certain filtering proced ures or any other procedure known in the art for removing peptides, amino acids, and/or other proteinaceous material having a molar mass of less than 500 Daltons. For the purposes of this disclosure, any method known in the art may be used to produce the protein hydrolysate having a molar mass distribution of greater than 500 Dalton. [0026] The term "protein equivalent" or "protein equivalent sou rce" includes any protein source, such as soy, egg, whey, or casein, as well as non-protein sources, such as peptides or amino acids. Further, the protein equivalent source can be any used in the art, e.g., nonfat milk, whey protein, casein, soy protein, hydrolyzed protein, peptides, a mino acids, and the like. Bovine milk protein sou rces useful in practicing the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, milk protein powders, milk protein concentrates, milk protein isolates, nonfat milk solids, nonfat milk, nonfat dry milk, whey protein, whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrates, sweet whey, acid whey, casein, acid casein, caseinate (e.g. sodium caseinate, sod ium calcium caseinate, calcium caseinate), soy bean proteins, and any combinations thereof. The protein equivalent source can, in some em bodiments comprise hydrolyzed protein, including partially hyd rolyzed protein and extensively hydrolyzed protein. The protein equivalent source may, in some em bodiments, include intact protein. More particularly, the protein source may include a) a bout 20% to a bout 80% of the peptide component described herein, and b) about 20% to about 80 % of an intact protein, a hydrolyzed protein, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The term "protein equivalent source" also encompasses free amino acids. In some embodiments, the amino acids may comprise, but are not limited to, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, carnitine, taurine and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acids may be branched chain amino acids. In certain other embodiments, small amino acid peptides may be included as the protein component of the nutritional composition. Such small amino acid peptides may be naturally occurring or synthesized.

[0028] "Milk fat globule membrane" includes components found in the milk fat globule membrane including but not limited to milk fat globule membrane proteins such as Mucin 1, Butyrophilin, Adipophilin, CD36, CD14, Lactadherin (PAS6/7), Xanthine oxidase and Fatty Acid binding proteins etc. Additionally, "milk fat globule membrane" may include phospholipids, cerebrosides, gangliosides, sphingomyelins, and/or cholesterol.

[0029] The term "growing-up milk" refers to a broad category of nutritional compositions intended to be used as a part of a diverse diet in order to support the normal growth and development of a child between the ages of about 1 and about 6 years of age.

[0030] "Milk" means a component that has been drawn or extracted from the mammary gland of a mammal. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises components of milk that are derived from domesticated ungulates, ruminants or other mammals or any combination thereof.

[0031] "Nutritionally complete" means a composition that may be used as the sole source of nutrition, which would supply essentially all of the required daily amounts of vitamins, minerals, and/or trace elements in combination with proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Indeed, "nutritionally complete" describes a nutritional composition that provides adequate amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, essential fatty acids, proteins, essential amino acids, conditionally essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and energy required to support normal growth and development of a subject.

[0032] A nutritional composition that is "nutritionally complete" for a full term infant will, by definition, provide qualitatively and quantitatively adequate amounts of all carbohydrates, lipids, essential fatty acids, proteins, essential amino acids, conditionally essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and energy required for growth of the full term infant.

[0033] A nutritional composition that is "nutritionally complete" for a child will, by definition, provide qualitatively and quantitatively adequate amounts of all carbohydrates, lipids, essential fatty acids, proteins, essential amino acids, conditionally essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and energy required for growth of a child.

[0034] "Probiotic" means a microorganism with low or no pathogenicity that exerts a beneficial effect on the health of the host.

[0035] The term "non-viable probiotic" means a probiotic wherein the metabolic activity or reproductive ability of the referenced probiotic has been reduced or destroyed. More specifically, "non-viable" or "non-viable probiotic" means non-living probiotic microorganisms, their cellular components and/or metabolites thereof. Such non-viable probiotics may have been heat-killed or otherwise inactivated. The "non-viable probiotic" does, however, still retain, at the cellular level, its cell structure or other structure associated with the cell, for example exopolysaccharide and at least a portion its biological glycol-protein and DNA/ NA structure and thus retains the ability to favorably influence the health of the host. Contrariwise, the term "viable" refers to live microorganisms. As used herein, the term "non-viable" is synonymous with "inactivated".

[0036] "Prebiotic" means a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the digestive tract that can improve the health of the host.

[0037] "Phospholipids" means an organic molecule that contains a diglyceride, a phosphate group and a simple organic molecule. Examples of phospholipids include but are not limited to, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phsphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol phosphate, phosphatidylinositol biphosphate and phosphatidylinositol triphosphate, ceramide phosphorylcholine, ceramide phosphorylethanolamine and ceramide phosphorylglycerol. This definition further includes sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin. Glycosphingolipds are quantitatively minor constituents of the MFGM, and consist of cerebrosides (neutral glycosphingolipids containing uncharged sugars) and gangliosides. Gangliosides are acidic glycosphingolipids that contain sialic acid (N- acetylneuraminic acid (NANA)) as part of their carbohydrate moiety. There are various types of gangliosides originating from different synthetic pathways, including GM3, GM2, GMla, GDla, GD3, GD2, GDlb, GTlb and GQlb (Fujiwara et al., 2012). The principal gangliosides in milk are GM3 and GD3 (Pan & Izumi, 1999). The different types of gangliosides vary in the nature and length of their carbohydrate side chains, and the number of sialic acid attached to the molecule.

[0038] The nutritional composition of the present disclosure may be substantially free of any optional or selected ingredients described herein, provided that the remaining nutritional composition still contains all of the required ingredients or features described herein. In this context, and unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially free" means that the selected composition may contain less than a functional amount of the optional ingredient, typically less than 0.1% by weight, and also, including zero percent by weight of such optional or selected ingredient.

[0039] All percentages, parts and ratios as used herein are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0040] All references to singular characteristics or limitations of the present disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristic or limitation, and vice versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the reference is made.

[0041] All combinations of method or process steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made.

[0042] The methods and compositions of the present disclosure, including components thereof, can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the embodiments described herein, as well as any additional or optional ingredients, components or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in nutritional compositions.

[0043] As used herein, the term "about" should be construed to refer to both of the numbers specified as the endpoint(s) of any range. Any reference to a range should be considered as providing support for any subset within that range.

[0044] Indeed, part of the non-protein-nitrogen fraction of human milk contains peptide sequences and free amino acids. Exact concentration of these nutrients varies based on several factors including, delivery term and lactation stage. However, recent insights from human milk molecular weight and peptidomics (Figs. 1 and 2) reveal that hydrolysis in the mammary gland appears to be specific rather than a random event, which, suggests that human milk peptides may have a role in overall human milk functionality beyond providing amino acids to the infant.

[0045] Additionally, specific Bio-IT analyses reveals that the human milk peptidome appears to be dominated by casein (mainly beta-casein, see Fig. 1) derived sequences and specific proteases including trypsin, chemotrypsin and plasmin (see Fig. 1) may be responsible for the hydrolysis of casein in human milk. Moreover, homology to known active peptide sequences suggests an overall role of the peptidome in overall human milk functionality.

[0046] Accordingly, the protein source or protein equivalent source provided herein includes intact protein, beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate, free amino acids, and combinations thereof. Indeed, from a dairy technology perspective enriching either beta or alpha-caseins is feasible and beta-casein enriched bovine caseinates are commercially available. Accordingly, provided herein in some embodiments, is an enriched beta-casein source that is hydrolyzed with specific proteases such as trypsin, chemotrypsin, and/or plasmin, which produces the beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate that may be included in the protein source disclosed herein. [0047] In embodiments where the protein source includes beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate, the hydrolysate may be prepared by any method know in the art. The methods of producing the beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate disclosed herein can relate, in part, to preparing hydrolysates of beta-, alpha- or kappa-enriched casein, acid casein or caseinates, for use in, e.g., nutritional formulations. Casein refers to a family of related phosphoproteins, including beta-casein, alpha-casein and kappa-casein. Bovine casein is commercially available from a variety of sources. In certain embodiments, a casein that is enriched in beta-, alpha- or kappa-casein is used. Methods for enriching beta-casein (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070104847) and alpha- and kappa-casein (see, e.g., WO2003003847) are known in the art. An acid casein or a caseinate [e.g. sodium caseinate, sodium calcium caseinate, calcium caseinate) enriched in beta-, alpha-, or kappa-casein can also be used. Caseinates are typically formed by a reaction of acid casein protein with an alkali.

[0048] Human and bovine milk are known to differ significantly in casein composition. In human milk, the casein fraction consist almost entirely of β-casein. With bovine milk β-casein is present in smaller amounts and the major component is a _s -casein, accordingly there exists the need for β- casein enriched products, i.e. products containing more β-casein that other types of casein, for use in nutritional compositions, such as infant formulas. Accordingly, the β-casein may be isolated or purified from any suita ble milk source, including bovine, milk from any of the known processes. [0049] Methods for preparing beta-casein enriched products are known in the art and are described, for example, in PCT Publication NO. WO 1994/003606, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0050] The methods disclosed herein further relate to preparing hydrolysates of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR), osteopontin, bile-salt activated lipase and/or clusterin with any one or more of the proteases described herein.

[0051] As described herein, hydrolysates can be made using one or more proteases. Suitable proteases include trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, pepsin, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, trypsin, chymotrypsin and plasmin are used. In certain embodiments, trypsin and chymotrypsin are used. In certain embodiments, trypsin and plasmin are used. In certain embodiments, chymotrypsin and plasmin are used. In certain embodiments, trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin and pepsin are used. In certain embodiments, trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin are used. In certain embodiments, trypsin, plasmin and pepsin are used. In certain embodiments, chymotrypsin, plasmin and pepsin are used. In certain embodiments, cathepsin D is also used (e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, and cathepsin D are used; trypsin, chymotrypsin, and cathepsin D are used; trypsin, plasmin, and cathepsin D are used; chymotrypsin, plasmin, and cathepsin D are used; trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, pepsin and cathepsin D are used; trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin and cathepsin D are used; trypsin, plasmin, pepsin and cathepsin D are used, chymotrypsin, plasmin, pepsin and cathepsin D are used). In certain embodiments, exonucleases are used. Proteases are known in the art and can be obtained from any number of manufacturers, including, for example, from Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO and Worthington Biochemical Corporation, Lakewood, NJ.

[0052] Methods for preparing casein hydrolysates are known in the art and are described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. JP2006010357 and in New Zealand Patent Application No. NZ619383, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0053] In certain embodiments, to prepare a hydrolysate, the protein (e.g., a beta-casein enriched casein) is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent such as water (e.g., distilled water), which may include an acid or alkaline or their salts. The concentration of the solution can be between about 1% and about 75% by weight, about 1% and about 50% by weight, a bout 1% and about 40% by weight, about 1% and about 30% by weight, about 1% and about 20% by weight, about 1% and about 15% by weight, about 1 and about 10% by weight, about 5% and a bout 15% by weight, about 5% and about 10% by weight.

[0054] The pH of the solution is then adjusted to within the operable range for the protease or proteases to be used. Substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, etc., are determined for the particular protease used. Reaction conditions for a given enzyme are known in the art and are typically provided by the manufacturer of the enzyme. For example, the pH range can be adjusted between pH 1 and pH 10, preferably in a range of 2-9. For some enzymes, pH is preferably in a range of 6-9; whereas, pH for other enzymes is preferably in a range of 2-4. The pH can be adjusted during the process of enzyme digestion. [0055] Progression of the reaction can be monitored by, for example, collecting a sample of the reaction solution at various time intervals, and measuring the extent of protein degradation, and optionally measuring molecular weight distribution of the protein hydrolysates.

[0056] The reaction may be stopped by any means known in the art, for example, by addition of hydrochloride acid solution and/or heat inactivation treatment. Heat deactivation treatment conditions (heating temperature, heating time, etc.), can be determined based upon the thermal stability of the enzyme used. The treatment can also combined with other technologies such as filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or nanofiltration to reduce and deactivate the enzyme protein.

[0057] After stopping the enzymatic reaction, the resulting hydrolysate may be purified using one or more of filtration, microfiltration, membrane separation processes such as ultrafiltration membrane, resin adsorption separation, from column chromatography. Membrane separation processes can be carried out using any apparatus known in the art. For example, microfiltration modules and ultrafiltration modules can be used to filter the hydrolysate, which is obtained as a membrane permeant fraction. Resin adsorption separation can be carried out in any manner known in the art, for example, using resins, ion exchange resins, chelate resins, affinity adsorbent resin, a synthetic adsorbent, and high performance liquid chromatography resin.

[0058] Properties of the peptide hydrolysate can be tested and evaluated by, e.g., mass spectrometry and/or standard nitrogen and degree of hydrolyses measurements. An exemplary mass spectrometer suitable for use with the methods described herein is a high-performance liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS, Waters TQD). Hydrolysate can be separated by gradient analysis using chromatography, e.g., a reverse phase ODS column as a separation column and a 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and 0.1% formic acid containing acetonitrile as eluents prior to measurement by mass spectrometer. Specific peptide content can be determined using a calibration curve with a synthetic peptide as a standard and/or labeled peptide standards. [0059] In certain embodiments where the protein source includes beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate, the beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate is present in the nutritional composition in an amount of from about 0.018 g/100 kcal to about 3 g/100 kcal of the nutritional composition, or about 0.042 g/100 Kcal to about 2.5 g/100 Kcal, about 0.042 g/100 Kcal to 1.5 g/100 Kcal, about 0.042 g/100 Kcal to about 1 g/100 Kcal, or about 0.042 g/100 Kcal to about 0.5 g/100 Kcal. The additional amount of beta casein enriched casein hydrolysate would be about 0.5% to about 30% (w/w) of total protein content, more preferably about 2% to about 15% of total protein content.

[0060] In certain embodiments, beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate peptides provide about 25% to about 60% (e.g., about 30% to about 50%, about 35% to a bout 45%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, alpha-casein peptides provide about 5% to about 25% (e.g., about 10% to about 20%, about 12% to about 18%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, PIG peptides provide about 5% to about 25% (e.g., about 10% to about 20%, about 12% to about 18%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, osteopontin peptides provide about 1% to about 15% (e.g., about 5% to about 10%, about 6% to about 8%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, kappa-casein peptides provide about 1% to about 10% (e.g., about 2% to about 8%, about 3% to about 5%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, bile salt-activated lipase peptides provide about 1% to about 10% (e.g., about 2% to about 8%, about 3% to about 5%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, clusterin peptides provide a bout 0.5% to a bout 5% (e.g., about 1% to about 3%, about 2%) of the total peptides in the nutritional composition.

[0060] A non-limiting example of a method of hydrolysis is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, this method may be used to β-casein enriched product in order to obtain the beta- casein enriched protein hydrolysate and peptides of the present disclosure. The proteins are hydrolyzed using a proteolytic enzyme, Protease N. Protease N "Amano" is commercially available from Amano Enzyme U.S.A. Co., Ltd., Elgin, III. Protease N is a proteolytic enzyme preparation that is derived from the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis. The protease powder is specified as "not less than 150,000 units/g", meaning that one unit of Protease N is the amount of enzyme which produces an amino acid equivalent to 100 micrograms of tyrosine for 60 minutes at a pH of 7.0. To produce the infant formula of the present disclosure, Protease N can be used at levels of about 0.5% to about 1.0% by weight of the total protein being hydrolyzed.

[0061] The protein hydrolysis by Protease N is typically conducted at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 60° C. The hydrolysis occurs for a period of time so as to obtain a degree of hydrolysis between about 4% and 10%. In a particular embodiment, hydrolysis occurs for a period of time so as to obtain a degree of hydrolysis between about 6% and 9%. In another embodiment, hydrolysis occurs for a period of time so as to obtain a degree of hydrolysis of about 7.5%. This level of hydrolysis may take between about one half hour to about 3 hours. [0062] A constant pH should be maintained during hydrolysis. In the method of the present disclosure, the pH is adjusted to and maintained between a bout 6.5 and 8. In a particular embodiment, the pH is maintained at about 7.0.

[0063] In order to maintain the optimal pH of the solution of whey protein, casein, water and Protease N, a caustic solution of sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide can be used to adjust the pH during hydrolysis. If sodium hydroxide is used to adjust the pH, the amount of sodium hydroxide added to the solution should be controlled to the level that it comprises less than about 0.3% of the total solid in the finished protein hydrolysate. A 10% potassium hydroxide solution can also be used to adjust the pH of the solution to the desired value, either before the enzyme is added or during the hydrolysis process in order to maintain the optimal pH. [0064] The amount of caustic solution added to the solution during the protein hydrolysis can be controlled by a pH-stat or by adding the caustic solution continuously and proportionally. The hydrolysate can be manufactured by standard batch processes or by continuous processes.

[0065] To better ensure the consistent quality of the protein partial hydrolysate, the hydrolysate is subjected to enzyme deactivation to end the hydrolysis process. The enzyme deactivation step may consist include at heat treatment at a temperature of about 82° C. for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, the enzyme can be deactivated by heating the solution to a temperature of about 92° C. for about 5 seconds. After enzyme deactivation is complete, the hydrolysate can be stored in a liquid state at a temperature lower than 10° C.

[0066] In some embodiments, the protein source includes a source of intact protein. The intact protein source can be any used in the art, e.g., nonfat milk, whey protein, casein, soy protein, hydrolyzed protein, amino acids, and the like. Bovine milk protein sources useful in practicing the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, milk protein powders, milk protein concentrates, milk protein isolates, nonfat milk solids, nonfat milk, nonfat dry milk, whey protein, whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrates, sweet whey, acid whey, casein, acid casein, caseinate (e.g. sodium caseinate, sodium calcium caseinate, calcium caseinate) and any com binations thereof.

[0067] In one em bodiment, the proteins of the nutritional composition are provided as intact proteins. In other em bodiments, the proteins are provided as a com bination of both intact proteins and partially hydrolyzed proteins, with a degree of hydrolysis of between a bout 4% and 10%. In certain other em bodiments, the proteins are more completely hydrolyzed. In still other em bodiments, the protein source comprises amino acids. In yet another embodiment, the protein source may be supplemented with glutamine-containing peptides.

[0068] In a particular embodiment of the nutritional composition, the whey:casein ratio of the protein sou rce is similar to that found in human breast milk. In an em bodiment, the protein source comprises from a bout 40% to a bout 80% whey protein and from a bout 20% to a bout 60% casein. [0069] In some em bodiments the protein source may include a com bination of milk powders and whey protein powders. In some em bodiments, the protein source comprise from a bout 5wt% to about 30% of nonfat milk powder based on the total weight of the nutritional composition and about 2wt% to about 20wt% of whey protein concentrate based on the total weight of the nutritional composition. Still in certain embodiments, the protein source comprise from a bout 10wt% to a bout 20% of nonfat milk powder based on the total weight of the nutritional composition and a bout 5wt% to a bout 15wt% of whey protein concentrate based on the total weight of the nutritional composition. From a bout 0.8 g/100 Kca l to a bout 3 g/100 Kcal of intact protein, from a bout 1 g/100 Kcal to a bout 2.5 g/100 Kcal of intact protein, from a bout 1.3 g/100 Kcal to a bout 2.1 g/100 Kcal of intact protein. [0070] In some em bodiments, the protein source or protein equivalent source includes amino acids. In this embodiment, the amino acids may comprise, but are not limited to, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, carnitine, taurine and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acids may be branched chain amino acids. In other embodiments, small amino acid peptides may be included as the protein component of the nutritional composition. Such small amino acid peptides may be naturally occurring or synthesized. In an embodiment, 100% of the free amino acids in the nutritional composition have a molecular weight of less than 500 Daltons.

[0071] In some embodiments, the amount of amino acids may be adjusted based on the desired amount of total protein. For example, in some embodiments the amount of amino acid may be from about 2% to 5% of the total protein. In certain embodiments where the nutritional composition contains a total protein content of 1.6 g/100 kcal, the amount of amino acids is from about 0.032 g/100 kcal to about 0.08 g/100 kcal. In other embodiments where the nutritional composition contains a total protein content of about 3 g/100 kcal, the amount of amino acids is from about 0.032 g/100 kcal to about 0.15 g/100 kcal.

[0072] In some embodiments the nutritional composition contains glutamic acid or glutamine in the range of from about 1 mg/100 kcal to about 70 mg/100 kcal, preferably from about 20 mg/100 kcal to about 40 mg/100 kcal. In some embodiments the nutritional composition contains taurine in the range of from about 0.05 mg/100 kcal to about 15 mg/100 kcal, preferably from about 3 mg/100 kcal to about 8 mg/100 kcal. In some embodiments the nutritional composition contains alanine in the range of from about 0.05 mg/100 kcal to about 8 mg/100 kcal, preferably from about 2 mg/100 kcal to a bout 4 mg/100 kcal. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition contains serine in the range of from about 0.05 mg/100 kcal to about 5 mg/100 kcal, preferably from about 1 mg/100 kcal to about 3 mg/100 kcal. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition contains glycine in the range of from about 0.02 mg/100 kcal to about 4 mg/100 kcal, preferably from about 0.5 mg/100 kcal to about 2 mg/100 kcal. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition includes tryptophan.

[0073] In some embodiments, the protein source or protein equivalent source includes essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, and/or combinations thereof. The term "essential amino acid" as used herein refers to an amino acid that cannot be synthesized de novo by the organism being considered or that is produced in an insufficient amount, and therefore must be supplied by diet. For example, in some embodiments, where the target subject is a human, an essential amino acid is one that cannot be synthesized de novo by a human. The term "non-essential amino acid" as used herein refers to an amino acid that can be synthesized by the organism or derived by the organism from essential amino acids. For example, in some embodiments, where the target subject is a human, a non-essential amino acid is one that can be synthesized in the human body or derived in the human body from essential amino acids. [0074] In certain embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 10% to a bout 90% w/w of essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In certain embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from a bout 25% to about 75% w/w of essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 40% to about 60% of essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source.

[0075] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes non-essential amino acids. In certain embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 10% to about 90% w/w of non-essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In certain embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 25% to about 75% w/w of non-essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 40% to about 60% w/w of non-essential amino acids based on the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source.

[0076] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes leucine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 2% to about 15% w/w leucine per the total amount of amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 4% to about 10% w/w leucine per the total amount of amino acids included in the protein equivalent source.

[0077] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes lysine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 2% to about 10% w/w lysine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 4% to about 8% w/w lysine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0078] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes valine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 2% to about 15% w/w valine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 4% to about 10% w/w valine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source. [0079] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes isoleucine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1% to about 8% w/w isoleucine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 7% w/w isoleucine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0080] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes threonine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1% to about 8% w/w threonine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 7% w/w threonine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0081] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes tyrosine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1% to about 8% w/w tyrosine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 7% w/w tyrosine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0082] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes phenylalanine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1% to about 8% w/w phenylalanine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 7% w/w phenylalanine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0083] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes histidine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 0.5% to a bout 4% w/w histidine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 3.5% w/w histidine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0084] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes cystine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 0.5% to about 4% w/w cystine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 3.5% w/w cystine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source. [0085] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes tryptophan. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 0.5% to about 4% w/w tryptophan per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 3.5% w/w tryptophan per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0086] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes methionine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 0.5% to about 4% w/w methionine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 3.5% w/w methionine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0087] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes aspartic acid. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 7% to about 20% w/w aspartic acid per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 10% to about 17% w/w aspartic acid per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0088] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes proline. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 5% to about 12% w/w proline per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 7% to about 10% w/w proline per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0089] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes alanine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 10% w/w alanine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 5% to about 8% w/w alanine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0090] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes glutamate. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 8% w/w glutamate per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 6% w/w glutamate per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source. [0091] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes serine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 8% w/w serine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3% to about 5% w/w serine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0092] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes arginine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 2% to about 8% w/w arginine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 3.5% to about 6% w/w arginine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0093] In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes glycine. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 0.5% to about 6% w/w glycine per the total amino acids included in the protein equivalent source. In some embodiments, the protein equivalent source includes from about 1.5% to about 3.5% w/w glycine per the total amino acids in the protein equivalent source.

[0094] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 1 g and about 7 g of a protein equivalent source per 100 Kcal. In other embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 3.5 g and about 4.5 g of protein equivalent source per 100 Kcal.

[0095] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 0.5 g/100 Kcal and about 2.5 g/100 Kcal of essential amino acids. In certain embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 1.3 g/100 Kcal to about 1.6 Kcal of essential amino acids.

[0096] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 0.5 g/100 Kcal and about 2.5 g/100 Kcal of essential amino acids. In certain embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 1.3 g/100 Kcal to about 1.6 Kcal of non-essential amino acids.

[0097] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.2 g/100 Kcal to about 0.5 g/100 Kcal of leucine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.1 g/100 Kcal to about 0.4 g/100 Kcal of lysine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.1 g/100 Kcal to about 0.4 g/100 Kcal of valine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from a bout 0.08 g/100 Kcal to about 0.23 g/100 Kcal of isoleucine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.08 g/100 Kcal to about 0.20 g/100 Kcal of threonine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.10 g/100 Kcal to about 0.15 g/100 Kcal of tyrosine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.05 g/100 Kcal to about 0.15 g/100 Kcal of phenylalanine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.01 g/100 Kcal to about 0.09 g/100 Kcal of histidine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.02 g/100 Kcal to about 0.08 g/100 Kcal of cystine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.02 g/100 Kcal to about 0.08 g/100 Kcal of tryptophan. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.02 g/100 Kcal to about 0.08 g/100 Kcal of methionine.

[0098] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.2 g/100 Kcal to about 0.7 g/100 Kcal of aspartic acid. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.1 g/100 Kcal to about 0.4 g/100 Kcal of proline. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.1 g/100 Kcal to about 0.3 g/100 Kcal of alanine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.08 g/100 Kcal to about 0.25 g/100 Kcal of glutamate. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.08 g/100 Kcal to about 0.2 g/100 Kcal of serine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.08 g/100 Kcal to about 0.15 g/100 Kcal of arginine. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises from about 0.02 g/100 Kcal to about 0.08 g/100 Kcal of glycine.

[0099] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition may include an enriched milk product, such as an enriched whey protein concentrate (eWPC). Enriched milk product generally refers to a milk product that has been enriched with certain milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components, such as proteins and lipids found in the MFGM. The enriched milk product can be formed by, e.g., fractionation of non-human (e.g., bovine) milk. Enriched milk products have a total protein level which can range between 20% and 90%, more preferably between 68% and 80%, of which between 3% and 50% is MFGM proteins; in some embodiments, MFGM proteins make up from 7% to 13% of the enriched milk product protein content. Enriched milk products also comprise from 0.5% to 5% (and, at times, 1.2% to 2.8%) sialic acid, from 2% to 25% (and, in some embodiments, 4% to 10%) phospholipids, from 0.4% to 3% sphingomyelin, from 0.05% to 1.8%, and, in certain embodiments 0.10% to 0.3%, gangliosides and from 0.02% to about 1.2%, more preferably from 0.2% to 0.9%, cholesterol. Thus, enriched milk products include desirable components at levels higher than found in bovine and other non-human milks. [0100] In some embodiments, the enriched milk product may contain certain polar lipids such as (1) Glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and their derivatives and (2) Sphingoids or sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin (SM) and glycosphingolipids comprising cerebrosides (neutral glycosphingolipids containing uncharged sugars) and the gangliosides (GG, acidic glycosphingolipids containing sialic acid) and their derivatives.

[0101] PE is a phospholipid found in biological membranes, particularly in nervous tissue such as the white matter of brain, nerves, neural tissue, and in spinal cord, where it makes up 45% of all phospholipids. Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath that surrounds some nerve cell axons. It usually consists of phosphocholine and ceramide, or a phosphoethanolamine head group; therefore, sphingomyelins can also be classified as sphingophospholipids. In humans, SM represents ~85% of all sphingolipids, and typically makes up 10-20 mol % of plasma membrane lipids. Sphingomyelins are present in the plasma membranes of animal cells and are especially prominent in myelin, a membranous sheath that surrounds and insulates the axons of some neurons.

[0102] In some embodiments, the enriched milk product includes eWPC. The eWPC may be produced by any number of fractionation techniques. These techniques include but are not limited to melting point fractionation, organic solvent fractionation, super critical fluid fractionation, and any variants and combinations thereof. Alternatively, eWPC is available commercially, including under the trade names Lacprodan MFGM-10 and Lacprodan PL-20, both available from Aria Food Ingredients of Viby, Denmark. With the addition of eWPC, the lipid composition of infant formulas and other pediatric nutritional compositions can more closely resemble that of human milk. For instance, the theoretical values of phospholipids (mg/L) and gangliosides (mg/L) in an exemplary infant formula which includes Lacprodan MFGM-10 or Lacprodan PL-20 can be calculated as shown in Table 1:

Table 1

Total

Item milk PL SM PE PC PI PS Other PL GD3

MFGM-10 330 79.2 83.6 83.6 22 39.6 22 10.1

PL-20 304 79 64 82 33 33 12.2 8.5 PL: phospholipids; SM: sphingomyelin; PE: phosphatidyl ethanolamine; PC: phosphatidyl choline; PI: phosphatidyl inositol; PS: phosphatidyl serine; GD3: ganglioside GD3.

[0103] In some embodiments, the eWPC is included in the nutritional composition at a level of about 0.5 grams per liter (g/L) to about 10 g/L; in other embodiments, the eWPC is present at a level of about 1 g/L to about 9 g/L. In still other embodiments, eWPC is present in the nutritional composition at a level of about 3 g/L to about 8 g/L. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the eWPC is included in the preterm nutritional composition of the present disclosure at a level of about 0.06 grams per 100 Kcal (g/100 Kcal) to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal; in other embodiments, the eWPC is present at a level of about 0.3 g/100 Kcal to about 1.4 g/100 Kcal. In still other embodiments, the eWPC is present in the nutritional composition at a level of about 0.4 g/100 Kcal to about 1 g/ 100 Kcal.

[0104] Total phospholipids in the nutritional compositions disclosed herein (i.e., including phospholipids from the eWPC as well as other components, but not including phospholipids from plant sources such as soy lecithin, if used) is in a range of about 50 mg/L to about 2000 mg/L; in some embodiments it is about 100 mg/L to about 1000 mg/L, or about 150 mg/L to about 550 mg/L. In certain embodiments, the eWPC component also contributes sphingomyelin in a range of about 10 mg/L to about 200 mg/L; in other embodiments, it is about 30 mg/L to about 150 mg/L, or about 50 mg/L to about 140 mg/L. And, the eWPC can also contribute gangliosides, which in some embodiments, are present in a range of about 2 mg/L to about 40 mg/L, or, in other embodiments about 6 mg/L to about 35 mg/L. In still other embodiments, the gangliosides are present in a range of about 9 mg/L to about 30 mg/L. In some embodiments, total phospholipids in the nutritional composition (again not including phospholipids from plant sources such as soy lecithin) is in a range of about 6 mg/100 Kcal to about 300 mg/100 Kcal; in some embodiments it is about 12 mg/100 Kcal to about 150 mg/100 Kcal, or about 18 mg/100 Kcal to about 85 mg/ 100 Kcal. In certain embodiments, the eWPC also contributes sphingomyelin in a range of about 1 mg/100 Kcal to about 30 mg/100 Kcal; in other embodiments, it is a bout 3.5 mg/100 Kcal to about 24 mg/100 Kcal, or about 6 mg/100 Kcal to about 21 mg/100 Kcal. And, gangliosides can be present in a range of about 0.25 mg/100 Kcal to about 6 mg/100 Kcal, or, in other embodiments about 0.7 mg/100 Kcal to about 5.2 mg/100 Kcal. In still other embodiments, the gangliosides are present in a range of about 1.1 mg/100 Kcal to about 4.5 mg/100 Kcal.

[0105] In some embodiments, the eWPC contains sialic acid (SA). Generally, the term sialic acid (SA) is used to generally refer to a family of derivatives of neuraminic acid. N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) are among the most abundant naturally found forms of SA, especially Neu5Ac in human and cow's milk. Mammalian brain tissue contains the highest levels of SA because of its incorporation into brain-specific proteins such as neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and lipids (e.g., gangliosides). It is considered that SA plays a role in neural development and function, learning, cognition, and memory throughout the life. In human milk, SA exists as free and bound forms with oligosaccharides, protein and lipid. The content of SA in human milk varies with lactation stage, with the highest level found in colostrum. However, most SA in bovine milk is bound with proteins, compared to the majority of SA in human milk bound to free oligosaccharides. Sialic acid can be incorporated in to the disclosed preterm infant formula as is, or it can be provided by incorporating casein glycomacropeptide (cGMP) having enhanced sialic acid content, as discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,867,541 and 7,951,410, the disclosure of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0106] When present, sialic acid can be incorporated into the nutritional composition of the present disclosure at a level of about 100 mg/L to about 800 mg/L, including both inherent sialic acid from the eWPC and exogenous sialic acid and sialic acid from sources such as cGMP. In some embodiments, sialic acid is present at a level of about 120 mg/L to about 600 mg/L; in other embodiments, the level is about 140 mg/L to about 500 mg/L. In certain embodiments, sialic acid may be present in an amount from about 1 mg/100 Kcals to a bout 120 mg/100 Kcal. In other embodiments, sialic acid may be present in an amount from about 14 mg/100 Kcal to about 90 mg/100 Kcal. In yet other embodiments, sialic acid may be present in an amount from about 15 mg/100 Kcal to about 75 mg/100 Kcal.

[0107] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition of the present disclosure also includes at least one probiotic. In some embodiments, the probiotic comprises Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ("LGG") (ATCC 53103). In certain other embodiments, the probiotic may be selected from any other Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium species, Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (BL999, ATCC: BAA-999), Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 (NCIMB: 41382), Bifidobacterium breve AH1205 (NCIMB: 41387), Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (NCIMB: 41003), and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (DSM No. 10140) or any combination thereof.

[0108] The amount of the probiotic may vary from about 1 x 10 ⁴ to about 1.5 x 10 ¹² cfu of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal. In some embodiments the amount of probiotic may be from about 1 x 10 ^s to about 1 x 10 ⁹ cfu of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal. In certain other embodiments the amount of probiotic may vary from about 1 x 10 ⁷ cfu/100 Kcal to about 1 x 10 ^s cfu of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal.

[0109] As noted, in some embodiments, the probiotic comprises LGG. LGG is a probiotic strain isolated from healthy human intestinal flora. It was disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,032,399 to Gorbach, et al., which is herein incorporated in its entirety, by reference thereto. LGG is resistant to most antibiotics, stable in the presence of acid and bile, and attaches avidly to mucosal cells of the human intestinal tract. It survives for 1-3 days in most individuals and up to 7 days in 30% of subjects. In addition to its colonization ability, LGG also beneficially affects mucosal immune responses. LGG is deposited with the depository authority American Type Culture Collection ("ATCC") under accession number ATCC 53103.

[0110] In an embodiment, the probiotic(s) may be viable or non-viable. The probiotics useful in the present disclosure may be naturally-occurring, synthetic or developed through the genetic manipulation of organisms, whether such source is now known or later developed.

[0111] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition may include a source comprising probiotic cell equivalents, which refers to the level of non-viable, non-replicating probiotics equivalent to an equal number of viable cells. The term "non-replicating" is to be understood as the amount of non-replicating microorganisms obtained from the same amount of replicating bacteria (cfu/g), including inactivated probiotics, fragments of DNA, cell wall or cytoplasmic compounds. In other words, the quantity of non-living, non-replicating organisms is expressed in terms of cfu as if all the microorganisms were alive, regardless whether they are dead, non- replicating, inactivated, fragmented etc. In non-viable probiotics are included in the nutritional composition, the amount of the probiotic cell equivalents may vary from about 1 x 10 ⁴ to about 1.5 x 10 ¹⁰ cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal. In some embodiments the amount of probiotic cell equivalents may be from about 1 x 10 ^s to about 1 x 10 ⁹ cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal nutritional composition. In certain other embodiments the amount of probiotic cell equivalents may vary from about 1 x 10 ⁷ to about 1 x 10 ^s cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal of nutritional composition.

[0112] In some embodiments, the probiotic source incorporated into the nutritional composition may comprise both viable colony-forming units, and non-viable cell-equivalents. [0113] While, probiotics may be helpful in pediatric patients, the administration of viable bacteria to pediatric subjects, and particularly preterm infants, with impaired intestinal defenses and immature gut barrier function may not be feasible due to the risk of bacteremia. Therefore, there is a need for compositions that can provide the benefits of probiotics without introducing viable bacteria into the intestinal tract of pediatric subjects

[0114] While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a culture supernatant from batch cultivation of a probiotic, and in particular embodiments, LGG, provides beneficial gastrointestinal benefits. It is further believed that the beneficial effects on gut barrier function can be attributed to the mixture of components (including proteinaceous materials, and possibly including (exo)polysaccharide materials) that are released into the culture medium at a late stage of the exponential (or "log") phase of batch cultivation of LGG. The composition will be hereinafter referred to as "culture supernatant."

[0115] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the nutritional composition includes a culture supernatant from a late-exponential growth phase of a probiotic batch-cultivation process. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the activity of the culture supernatant can be attributed to the mixture of components (including proteinaceous materials, and possibly including (exo)polysaccharide materials) as found released into the culture medium at a late stage of the exponential (or "log") phase of batch cultivation of the probiotic. The term "culture supernatant" as used herein, includes the mixture of components found in the culture medium. The stages recognized in batch cultivation of bacteria are known to the skilled person. These are the "lag," the "log" ("logarithmic" or "exponential"), the "stationary" and the "death" (or "logarithmic decline") phases. In all phases during which live bacteria are present, the bacteria metabolize nutrients from the media, and secrete (exert, release) materials into the culture medium. The composition of the secreted material at a given point in time of the growth stages is not generally predictable.

[0116] In an embodiment, a culture supernatant is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of (a) subjecting a probiotic such as LGG to cultivation in a suitable culture medium using a batch process; (b) harvesting the culture supernatant at a late exponential growth phase of the cultivation step, which phase is defined with reference to the second half of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase of the batch-cultivation process; (c) optionally removing low molecular weight constituents from the supernatant so as to retain molecular weight constituents above 5-6 kiloDaltons (kDa); (d) removing liquid contents from the culture supernatant so as to obtain the composition. [0117] The culture supernatant may comprise secreted materials that are harvested from a late exponential phase. The late exponential phase occurs in time after the mid exponential phase (which is halftime of the duration of the exponential phase, hence the reference to the late exponential phase as being the second half of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase). In particular, the term "late exponential phase" is used herein with reference to the latter quarter portion of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase of the LGG batch- cultivation process. In some embodiments, the culture supernatant is harvested at a point in time of 75% to 85% of the duration of the exponential phase, and may be harvested at about ⁵ /ε of the time elapsed in the exponential phase. [0118] The culture supernatant is believed to contain a mixture of amino acids, oligo- and polypeptides, and proteins, of various molecular weights. The composition is further believed to contain polysaccharide structures and/or nucleotides.

[0119] In some embodiments, the culture supernatant of the present disclosure excludes low molecular weight components, generally below 6 kDa, or even below 5 kDa. In these and other embodiments, the culture supernatant does not include lactic acid and/or lactate salts. These lower molecular weight components can be removed, for example, by filtration or column chromatography.

[0120] The culture supernatant of the present disclosure can be formulated in various ways for administration to pediatric subjects. For example, the culture supernatant can be used as such, e.g. incorporated into capsules for oral administration, or in a liquid nutritional composition such as a drink, or it can be processed before further use. Such processing generally involves separating the compounds from the generally liquid continuous phase of the supernatant. This prefera bly is done by a drying method, such as spray-drying or freeze-drying (lyophilization). Spray-drying is preferred. In a preferred embodiment of the spray-drying method, a carrier material will be added before spray-drying, e.g., maltodextrin DE29.

[0121] The LGG culture supernatant of the present disclosure, whether added in a separate dosage form or via a nutritional product, will generally be administered in an amount effective in promoting gut regeneration, promoting gut maturation and/or protecting gut barrier function. The effective amount is preferably equivalent to lxlO ⁴ to about lxlO ¹² cell equivalents of live probiotic bacteria per kg body weight per day, and more preferably 10 ⁸ -10 ⁹ cell equivalents per kg body weight per day. In other embodiments, the amount of cell equivalents may vary from about lxlO ⁴ to about 1.5xl0 ¹⁰ cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal. In some embodiments the amount of probiotic cell equivalents may be from about lxlO ⁶ to about lxlO ⁹ cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal nutritional composition. In certain other embodiments the amount of probiotic cell equivalents may vary from about lxlO ⁷ to about 1x10 ^s cell equivalents of probiotic(s) per 100 Kcal of nutritional composition. [0122] Without being bound by any theory, the unique combination of nutrients in the disclosed nutritional composition(s) is believed to be capable of providing novel and unexpected benefits for infants and children. Moreover, the benefit of this nutritional composition is believed to be obtained during infancy, and also by including it as part of a diverse diet as the child continues to grow and develop. [0123] In some embodiments, a soluble mediator preparation is prepared from the culture supernatant as described below. Furthermore, preparation of an LGG soluble mediator preparation is described in US 2013/0251829 and US 2011/0217402, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the soluble mediator preparation is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of (a) subjecting a probiotic such as LGG to cultivation in a suitable culture medium using a batch process; (b) harvesting a culture supernatant at a late exponential growth phase of the cultivation step, which phase is defined with reference to the second half of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase of the batch-cultivation process; (c) optionally removing low molecular weight constituents from the supernatant so as to retain molecular weight constituents above 5-6 kiloDaltons (kDa); (d) removal of any remaining cells using 0.22 μιη sterile filtration to provide the soluble mediator preparation; (e) removing liquid contents from the solu ble mediator preparation so as to obtain the composition.

[0125] In certain embodiments, secreted materials are harvested from a late exponential phase. The late exponential phase occurs in time after the mid exponential phase (which is halftime of the duration of the exponential phase, hence the reference to the late exponential phase as being the second half of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase). In particular, the term "late exponential phase" is used herein with reference to the latter quarter portion of the time between the lag phase and the stationary phase of the LGG batch-cultivation process. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and embodiments thereof, harvesting of the culture supernatant is at a point in time of 75% to 85% of the duration of the exponential phase, and most preferably is at about 5/6 of the time elapsed in the exponential phase. [0126] The term "cultivation" or "culturing" refers to the propagation of micro-organisms, in this case LGG, on or in a suita ble medium. Such a culture medium can be of a variety of kinds, and is particularly a liquid broth, as customary in the art. A preferred broth, e.g., is M RS broth as generally used for the cultivation of lactobacilli. MRS broth generally comprises polysorbate, acetate, magnesium and manganese, which are known to act as special growth factors for lactobacilli, as well as a rich nutrient base. A typical composition comprises (amounts in g/liter): peptone from casein 10.0; yeast extract 4.0; D(+)-glucose 20.0; dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 2.0; Tween ^® 80 1.0; triammonium citrate 2.0; sodium acetate 5.0; magnesium sulphate 0.2; manganese sulphate 0.04. [0127] In certain embodiments, the soluble mediator preparation is incorporated into an infant formula or other nutritional composition. The harvesting of secreted bacterial products brings about a problem that the culture media cannot easily be deprived of undesired components. This specifically relates to nutritional products for relatively vulnerable subjects, such as infant formula or clinical nutrition. This problem is not incurred if specific components from a culture supernatant are first isolated, purified, and then applied in a nutritional product. However, it is desired to make use of a more complete culture supernatant. This would serve to provide a soluble mediator composition better reflecting the natural action of the probiotic (e.g. LGG).

[0128] Accordingly, it is desired to ensure that the composition harvested from LGG cultivation does not contain components (as may present in the culture medium) that are not desired, or generally accepted, in such formula. With reference to polysorbate regularly present in MRS broth, media for the culturing of bacteria may include an emulsifying non-ionic surfactant, e.g. on the basis of polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid (typically available as Tween ^® polysorbates, such as Tween ^® 80). Whilst these surfactants are frequently found in food products, e.g. ice cream, and are generally recognized as safe, they are not in all jurisdictions considered desirable, or even acceptable for use in nutritional products for relatively vulnerable subjects, such as infant formula or clinical nutrition.

[0129] Therefore, in some embodiments, a preferred culture medium of the disclosure is devoid of polysorbates such as Tween 80. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure and/or embodiments thereof the culture medium may comprise an oily ingredient selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, linseed oil, olive oil, rape seed oil, sunflower oil and mixtures thereof. It will be understood that the full benefit of the oily ingredient is attained if the presence of a polysorbate surfactant is essentially or entirely avoided. [0130] More particularly, in certain embodiments, an MRS medium is devoid of polysorbates. Also preferably medium comprises, in addition to one or more of the foregoing oils, peptone (typically 0-10 g/L, especially 0.1-10 g/L), yeast extract (typically 4-50 g/L), D(+) glucose (typically 20-70 g/L), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (typically 2-4 g/L), sodium acetate trihydrate (typically 4-5 g/L), triammonium citrate (typically 2-4 g/L), magnesium sulfphate heptahydrate (typically 0.2-0.4 g/L) and/or manganous sulphate tetrahydrate (typically 0.05-0.08 g/L).

[0131] The culturing is generally performed at a temperature of 20 ^Q C to 45 ^Q C, more particularly at 35 ^Q C to 40 ^Q C, and more particularly at 37 ^Q C. In some embodiments, the culture has a neutral pH, such as a pH of between pH 5 and pH 7, preferably pH 6. [0132] In some embodiments, the time point during cultivation for harvesting the culture supernatant, i.e., in the aforementioned late exponential phase, can be determined, e.g. based on the OD600nm and glucose concentration. OD600 refers to the optical density at 600 nm, which is a known density measurement that directly correlates with the bacterial concentration in the culture medium. [0133] The culture supernatant can be harvested by any known technique for the separation of culture supernatant from a bacterial culture. Such techniques are known in the art and include, e.g., centrifugation, filtration, sedimentation, and the like. In some embodiments, LGG cells are removed from the culture supernatant using 0.22 μιη sterile filtration in order to produce the soluble mediator preparation. The probiotic soluble mediator preparation thus obtained may be used immediately, or be stored for future use. In the latter case, the probiotic soluble mediator preparation will generally be refrigerated, frozen or lyophilized. The probiotic soluble mediator preparation may be concentrated or diluted, as desired.

[0134] The soluble mediator preparation is believed to contain a mixture of amino acids, oligo- and polypeptides, and proteins, of various molecular weights. The composition is further believed to contain polysaccharide structures and/or nucleotides.

[0135] In some embodiments, the soluble mediator preparation of the present disclosure excludes lower molecular weight components, generally below 6 kDa, or even below 5 kDa. In these and other embodiments, the soluble mediator preparation does not include lactic acid and/or lactate salts. These lower molecular weight components can be removed, for example, by filtration or column chromatography. In some embodiments, the culture supernatant is subjected to ultrafiltration with a 5 kDa membrane in order to retain constituents over 5 kDa. In other embodiments, the culture supernatant is desalted using column chromatography to retain constituents over 6 kDa.

[0136] The soluble mediator preparation of the present disclosure can be formulated in various ways for administration to pediatric subjects. For example, the soluble mediator preparation can be used as such, e.g. incorporated into capsules for oral administration, or in a liquid nutritional composition such as a drink, or it can be processed before further use. Such processing generally involves separating the compounds from the generally liquid continuous phase of the supernatant. This prefera bly is done by a drying method, such as spray-drying or freeze-drying (lyophilization). In a preferred embodiment of the spray-drying method, a carrier material will be added before spray-drying, e.g., maltodextrin DE29.

[0137] Probiotic bacteria soluble mediator preparations, such as the LGG soluble mediator preparation disclosed herein, advantageously possess gut barrier enhancing activity by promoting gut barrier regeneration, gut barrier maturation and/or adaptation, gut barrier resistance and/or gut barrier function. The present LGG soluble mediator preparation may accordingly be particularly useful in treating su bjects, particularly pediatric subjects, with impaired gut barrier function, such as short bowel syndrome or NEC. The soluble mediator preparation may be particularly useful for infants and premature infants having impaired gut barrier function and/or short bowel syndrome.

[0138] Probiotic bacteria soluble mediator preparation, such as the LGG soluble mediator preparation of the present disclosure, also advantageously reduce visceral pain sensitivity in subjects, particularly pediatric subjects experiencing gastrointestinal pain, food intolerance, allergic or non-allergic inflammation, colic, IBS, and infections.

[0139] In an embodiment, the nutritional composition may include prebiotics. In certan embodiments, the nutritional composition includes prebiotics that may stimulate endogenous butyrate production. For example, in some embodiments the component for stimulating endogenous butyrate production comprises a microbiota-stimulating component that is a prebiotic including both polydextrose ("PDX") and galacto-oligosaccharides ("GOS"). A prebiotic component including PDX and GOS can enhance butyrate production by microbiota.

[0140] In addition to PDX and GOS, the nutritional composition may also contain one or more other prebiotics which can exert additional health benefits, which may include, but are not limited to, selective stimulation of the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of beneficial gut bacteria, stimulation of the growth and/or activity of ingested probiotic microorganisms, selective reduction in gut pathogens, and favorable influence on gut short chain fatty acid profile. Such prebiotics may be naturally-occurring, synthetic, or developed through the genetic manipulation of organisms and/or plants, whether such new source is now known or developed later. Prebiotics useful in the present disclosure may include oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and other prebiotics that contain fructose, xylose, soya, galactose, glucose and mannose.

[0141] More specifically, prebiotics useful in the present disclosure include PDX and GOS, and can, in some embodiments, also include, PDX powder, lactulose, lactosucrose, raffinose, gluco- oligosaccharide, inulin, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), isomalto-oligosaccharide, soybean oligosaccharides, lactosucrose, xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS), chito-oligosaccharide, manno- oligosaccharide, aribino-oligosaccharide, siallyl-oligosaccharide, fuco-oligosaccharide, and gentio- oligosaccharides.

[0142] In an embodiment, the total amount of prebiotics present in the nutritional composition may be from about 1.0 g/L to about 10.0 g/L of the composition. More preferably, the total amount of prebiotics present in the nutritional composition may be from about 2.0 g/L and about 8.0 g/L of the composition. In some embodiments, the total amount of prebiotics present in the nutritional composition may be from about 0.01 g/100 Kcal to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal. In certain embodiments, the total amount of prebiotics present in the nutritional composition may be from about 0.15 g/100 Kcal to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal. In some embodiments, the prebiotic component comprises at least 20% w/w PDX and GOS.

[0143] The amount of PDX in the nutritional composition may, in an embodiment, be within the range of from about 0.015 g/100 Kcal to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal. In another embodiment, the amount of polydextrose is within the range of from about 0.2 g/100 Kcal to about 0.6 g/100 Kcal. In some embodiments, PDX may be included in the nutritional composition in an amount sufficient to provide between about 1.0 g/L and 10.0 g/L. In another embodiment, the nutritional composition contains an amount of PDX that is between about 2.0 g/L and 8.0 g/L. And in still other embodiments, the amount of PDX in the nutritional composition may be from about 0.05 g/100 Kcal to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal.

[0144] The prebiotic component also comprises GOS. The amount of GOS in the nutritional composition may, in an embodiment, be from about 0.015 g/100 Kcal to about 1.0 g/100 Kcal. In another embodiment, the amount of GOS in the nutritional composition may be from about 0.2 g/100 Kcal to about 0.5 g/100 Kcal. [0145] In a particular embodiment, GOS and PDX are supplemented into the nutritional composition in a total amount of at least about 0.015 g/100 Kcal or about 0.015 g/100 Kcal to about 1.5 g/100 Kcal. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition may comprise GOS and PDX in a total amount of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 g/100 Kcal. [0146] The nutritional composition(s) of the present disclosure may also comprise a carbohydrate source. Carbohydrate sources can be any used in the art, e.g., lactose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup solids, maltodextrins, sucrose, starch, rice syrup solids, and the like. The amount of carbohydrate in the nutritional composition typically can vary from between a bout 5 g and about 25 g/100 Kcal. In some embodiments, the amount of carbohydrate is between about 6 g and about 22 g/100 Kcal. In other embodiments, the amount of carbohydrate is between about 12 g and about 14 g/100 Kcal. In some embodiments, corn syrup solids are preferred. Moreover, hydrolyzed, partially hydrolyzed, and/or extensively hydrolyzed carbohydrates may be desirable for inclusion in the nutritional composition due to their easy digestibility. Specifically, hydrolyzed carbohydrates are less likely to contain allergenic epitopes. [0147] Non-limiting examples of carbohydrate materials suitable for use herein include hydrolyzed or intact, naturally or chemically modified, starches sourced from corn, tapioca, rice or potato, in waxy or non-waxy forms. Non-limiting examples of suitable carbohydrates include various hydrolyzed starches characterized as hydrolyzed cornstarch, maltodextrin, maltose, corn syrup, dextrose, corn syrup solids, glucose, and various other glucose polymers and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of other suitable carbohydrates include those often referred to as sucrose, lactose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, indigestible oligosaccharides such as fructooligosaccharides and combinations thereof.

[0148] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition described herein comprises a fat or lipid source. In certain embodiments, appropriate fat sources include, but are not limited to, animal sources, e.g., milk fat, butter, butter fat, egg yolk lipid; marine sources, such as fish oils, marine oils, single cell oils; vegetable and plant oils, such as corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm olein oil, coconut oil, high oleic sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, flaxseed (linseed) oil, cottonseed oil, high oleic safflower oil, palm stearin, palm kernel oil, wheat germ oil; medium chain triglyceride oils and emulsions and esters of fatty acids; and any combinations thereof.

[0149] In some embodiment the nutritional composition comprises between about 1 g/100 Kcal to about 10 g/100 Kcal of a fat or lipid source. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises between about 2 g/100 Kcal to about 7 g/100 Kcal of a fat source. In other embodiments the fat source may be present in an amount from about 2.5 g/100 Kcal to about 6 g/100 Kcal. In still other embodiments, the fat source may be present in the nutritional composition in an amount from about 3 g/100 Kcal to about 4 g/100 Kcal. [0150] In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source comprises from about 10% to about 35% palm oil per the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source comprises from about 15% to about 30% palm oil per the total amount of fat or lipid. Yet in other embodiments, the fat or lipid source may comprise from about 18% to about 25 % palm oil per the total amount of fat or lipid. [0151] In certain embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 2% to about 16% soybean oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 4% to about 12% soybean oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 6% to about 10% soybean oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. [0152] In certain embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 2% to about 16% coconut oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 4% to about 12% coconut oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 6% to about 10% coconut oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. [0153] In certain embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 2% to about 16% sunflower oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 4% to about 12% sunflower oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid. In some embodiments, the fat or lipid source may be formulated to include from about 6% to about 10% sunflower oil based on the total amount of fat or lipid.

[0154] In some embodiments, the oils, i.e. sunflower oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, etc. are meant to cover fortified versions of such oils known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the use of sunflower oil may include high oleic sunflower oil. In other examples, the use of such oils may be fortified with certain fatty acids, as known in the art, and may be used in the fat or lipid source disclosed herein. [0155] In some embodiments the nutritional composition may also include a source of LCPUFAs. In one embodiment the amount of LCPUFA in the nutritional composition is advantageously at least about 5 mg/100 Kcal, and may vary from about 5 mg/100 Kcal to about 100 mg/100 Kcal, more preferably from about 10 mg/100 Kcal to about 50 mg/100 Kcal. Non-limiting examples of LCPUFAs include, but are not limited to, DHA, A A, linoleic (18:2 n-6), γ-linolenic (18:3 n-6), dihomo- γ-linolenic (20:3 n-6) acids in the n-6 pathway, a-linolenic (18:3 n-3), stearidonic (18:4 n- 3), eicosatetraenoic (20:4 n-3), eicosapentaenoic (20:5 n-3), and docosapentaenoic (22:6 n-3).

[0156] In some embodiments, the LCPUFA included in the nutritional composition may comprise DHA. In one embodiment the amount of DHA in the nutritional composition is advantageously at least about 17 mg/100 Kcal, and may vary from about 5 mg/100 Kcal to about 75 mg/100 Kcal, more preferably from about 10 mg/100 Kcal to about 50 mg/100 Kcal.

[0157] In another embodiment, especially if the nutritional composition is an infant formula, the nutritional composition is supplemented with both DHA and ARA. In this embodiment, the weight ratio of ARA:DHA may be between about 1:3 and about 9:1. In a particular embodiment, the ratio of ARA:DHA is from about 1:2 to about 4:1.

[0158] The DHA and ARA can be in natural form, provided that the remainder of the LCPUFA source does not result in any substantial deleterious effect on the infant. Alternatively, the DHA and ARA can be used in refined form.

[0159] The disclosed nutritional composition described herein can, in some embodiments, also comprise a source of β-glucan. Glucans are polysaccharides, specifically polymers of glucose, which are naturally occurring and may be found in cell walls of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and plants. Beta glucans (β-glucans) are themselves a diverse subset of glucose polymers, which are made up of chains of glucose monomers linked together via beta-type glycosidic bonds to form complex carbohydrates.

[0160] -l,3-glucans are carbohydrate polymers purified from, for example, yeast, mushroom, bacteria, algae, or cereals. The chemical structure of -l,3-glucan depends on the source of the β- 1,3-glucan. Moreover, various physiochemical parameters, such as solubility, primary structure, molecular weight, and branching, play a role in biological activities of -l,3-glucans.

[0161] -l,3-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides, with or without β-Ι,δ-glucose side chains that are found in the cell walls of a variety of plants, yeasts, fungi and bacteria. β-1,3;1,6- glucans are those containing glucose units with (1,3) links having side chains attached at the (1,6) position(s). β-1,3;1,6 glucans are a heterogeneous group of glucose polymers that share structural commonalities, including a backbone of straight chain glucose units linked by a β-1,3 bond with β- 1,6-linked glucose branches extending from this backbone. While this is the basic structure for the presently described class of β-glucans, some variations may exist. For example, certain yeast β-glucans have additional regions of β(1,3) branching extending from the β(1,6) branches, which add further complexity to their respective structures.

[0162] β-glucans derived from baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are made up of chains of D-glucose molecules connected at the 1 and 3 positions, having side chains of glucose attached at the 1 and 6 positions. Yeast-derived β-glucan is an insoluble, fiber-like, complex sugar having the general structure of a linear chain of glucose units with a β-1,3 backbone interspersed with β-1,6 side chains that are generally 6-8 glucose units in length. More specifically, β-glucan derived from baker's yeast is poly-(l,6)^-D-glucopyranosyl-(l,3)^-D-glucopyranose.

[0163] Furthermore, β-glucans are well tolerated and do not produce or cause excess gas, abdominal distension, bloating or diarrhea in pediatric subjects. Addition of β-glucan to a nutritional composition for a pediatric su bject, such as an infant formula, a growing-up milk or another children's nutritional product, will improve the subject's immune response by increasing resistance against invading pathogens and therefore maintaining or improving overall health.

[0164] In some embodiments, the β-glucan is -l,3;l,6-glucan. In some embodiments, the β- l,3;l,6-glucan is derived from baker's yeast. The nutritional composition may comprise whole glucan particle β-glucan, particulate β-glucan, PGG-glucan (poly-l,6^-D-glucopyranosyl-l,3^-D- glucopyranose) or any mixture thereof.

[0165] In some embodiments, the amount of β-glucan in the nutritional composition is between about 3 mg and about 17 mg per 100 Kcal. In another embodiment the amount of β-glucan is between about 6 mg and about 17 mg per 100 Kcal. [0166] The nutritional composition of the present disclosure may comprise lactoferrin in some embodiments. Lactoferrins are single chain polypeptides of about 80 kD containing 1 - 4 glycans, depending on the species. The 3-D structures of lactoferrin of different species are very similar, but not identical. Each lactoferrin comprises two homologous lobes, called the N- and C-lobes, referring to the N-terminal and C-terminal part of the molecule, respectively. Each lobe further consists of two sub-lobes or domains, which form a cleft where the ferric ion (Fe3+) is tightly bound in synergistic cooperation with a (bi)carbonate anion. These domains are called Nl, N2, CI and C2, respectively. The N-terminus of lactoferrin has strong cationic peptide regions that are responsible for a number of important binding characteristics. Lactoferrin has a very high isoelectric point (~pl 9) and its cationic nature plays a major role in its ability to defend against bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. There are several clusters of cationic amino acids residues within the N-terminal region of lactoferrin mediating the biological activities of lactoferrin against a wide range of microorganisms.

[0167] Lactoferrin for use in the present disclosure may be, for example, isolated from the milk of a non-human animal or produced by a genetically modified organism. The oral electrolyte solutions described herein can, in some embodiments comprise non-human lactoferrin, non- human lactoferrin produced by a genetically modified organism and/or human lactoferrin produced by a genetically modified organism.

[0168] Suitable non-human lactoferrins for use in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, those having at least 48% homology with the amino acid sequence of human lactoferrin. For instance, bovine lactoferrin (bLF) has an amino acid composition which has about 70% sequence homology to that of human lactoferrin. In some embodiments, the non-human lactoferrin has at least 65% homology with human lactoferrin and in some embodiments, at least 75% homology. Non-human lactoferrins acceptable for use in the present disclosure include, without limitation, bLF, porcine lactoferrin, equine lactoferrin, buffalo lactoferrin, goat lactoferrin, murine lactoferrin and camel lactoferrin. [0169] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition of the present disclosure comprises non-human lactoferrin, for example bLF. bLF is a glycoprotein that belongs to the iron transporter or transferring family. It is isolated from bovine milk, wherein it is found as a component of whey. There are known differences between the amino acid sequence, glycosylation patters and iron- binding capacity in human lactoferrin and bLF. Additionally, there are multiple and sequential processing steps involved in the isolation of bLF from cow's milk that affect the physiochemical properties of the resulting bLF preparation. Human lactoferrin and bLF are also reported to have differences in their abilities to bind the lactoferrin receptor found in the human intestine.

[0170] Though not wishing to be bound by this or any other theory, it is believed that bLF that has been isolated from whole milk has less lipopolysaccharide (LPS) initially bound than does bLF that has been isolated from milk powder. Additionally, it is believed that bLF with a low somatic cell count has less initially-bound LPS. A bLF with less initially-bound LPS has more binding sites available on its surface. This is thought to aid bLF in binding to the appropriate location and disrupting the infection process.

[0171] bLF suitable for the present disclosure may be produced by any method known in the art. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,791,193, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, Okonogi et al. discloses a process for producing bovine lactoferrin in high purity. Generally, the process as disclosed includes three steps. Raw milk material is first contacted with a weakly acidic cationic exchanger to absorb lactoferrin followed by the second step where washing takes place to remove nonabsorbed substances. A desorbing step follows where lactoferrin is removed to produce purified bovine lactoferrin. Other methods may include steps as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,368,141, 5,849,885, 5,919,913 and 5,861,491, the disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0172] In certain embodiments, lactoferrin utilized in the present disclosure may be provided by an expanded bed absorption (EBA) process for isolating proteins from milk sources. EBA, also sometimes called stabilized fluid bed adsorption, is a process for isolating a milk protein, such as lactoferrin, from a milk source comprises establishing an expanded bed adsorption column comprising a particulate matrix, applying a milk source to the matrix, and eluting the lactoferrin from the matrix with an elution buffer comprising about 0.3 to about 2.0 M sodium chloride. Any mammalian milk source may be used in the present processes, although in particular embodiments, the milk source is a bovine milk source. The milk source comprises, in some embodiments, whole milk, reduced fat milk, skim milk, whey, casein, or mixtures thereof.

[0173] In particular embodiments, the target protein is lactoferrin, though other milk proteins, such as lactoperoxidases or lactalbumins, also may be isolated. In some embodiments, the process comprises the steps of establishing an expanded bed adsorption column comprising a particulate matrix, applying a milk source to the matrix, and eluting the lactoferrin from the matrix with about 0.3 to about 2.0M sodium chloride. In other embodiments, the lactoferrin is eluted with about 0.5 to about 1.0 M sodium chloride, while in further embodiments, the lactoferrin is eluted with about 0.7 to about 0.9 M sodium chloride.

[0174] The expanded bed adsorption column can be any known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,812,138, 6,620,326, and 6,977,046, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, a milk source is applied to the column in an expanded mode, and the elution is performed in either expanded or packed mode. In particular embodiments, the elution is performed in an expanded mode. For example, the expansion ratio in the expanded mode may be about 1 to about 3, or about 1.3 to about 1.7. EBA technology is further described in international published application nos. WO 92/00799, WO 02/18237, WO 97/17132, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0175] The isoelectric point of lactoferrin is approximately 8.9. Prior EBA methods of isolating lactoferrin use 200 mM sodium hydroxide as an elution buffer. Thus, the pH of the system rises to over 12, and the structure and bioactivity of lactoferrin may be comprised, by irreversible structural changes. It has now been discovered that a sodium chloride solution can be used as an elution buffer in the isolation of lactoferrin from the EBA matrix. In certain embodiments, the sodium chloride has a concentration of about 0.3 M to about 2.0 M. In other embodiments, the lactoferrin elution buffer has a sodium chloride concentration of about 0.3 M to about 1.5 M, or about 0.5 m to about 1.0 M.

[0176] In other embodiments, lactoferrin for use in the composition of the present disclosure can be isolated through the use of radial chromatography or charged membranes, as would be familiar to the skilled artisan. [0177] The lactoferrin that is used in certain embodiments may be any lactoferrin isolated from whole milk and/or having a low somatic cell count, wherein "low somatic cell count" refers to a somatic cell count less than 200,000 cells/mL. By way of example, suitable lactoferrin is available from Tatua Co-operative Dairy Co. Ltd., in Morrinsville, New Zealand, from FrieslandCampina Domo in Amersfoort, Netherlands or from Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited in Auckland, New Zealand.

[0178] Surprisingly, lactoferrin included herein maintains certain bactericidal activity even if exposed to a low pH (i.e., below about 7, and even as low as about 4.6 or lower) and/or high temperatures (i.e., above about 65 ⁵ C, and as high as about 120 ⁵ C), conditions which would be expected to destroy or severely limit the stability or activity of human lactoferrin. These low pH and/or high temperature conditions can be expected during certain processing regimen for nutritional compositions of the types described herein, such as pasteurization. Therefore, even after processing regimens, lactoferrin has bactericidal activity against undesirable bacterial pathogens found in the human gut. The nutritional composition may, in some embodiments, comprise lactoferrin in an amount from about 25 mg/100 mL to about 150 mg/100 mL. In other embodiments lactoferrin is present in an amount from about 60 mg/100 mL to about 120 mg/100 mL. In still other embodiments lactoferrin is present in an amount from about 85 mg/100 mL to about 110 mg/100 mL. [0179] The disclosed nutritional composition described herein, can, in some embodiments also comprise an effective amount of iron. The iron may comprise encapsulated iron forms, such as encapsulated ferrous fumarate or encapsulated ferrous sulfate or less reactive iron forms, such as ferric pyrophosphate or ferric orthophosphate.

[0180] One or more vitamins and/or minerals may also be added in to the nutritional composition in amounts sufficient to supply the daily nutritional requirements of a subject. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that vitamin and mineral requirements will vary, for example, based on the age of the child. For instance, an infant may have different vitamin and mineral requirements than a child between the ages of one and thirteen years. Thus, the embodiments are not intended to limit the nutritional composition to a particular age group but, rather, to provide a range of acceptable vitamin and mineral components.

[0181] In embodiments providing a nutritional composition for a child, the composition may optionally include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following vitamins or derivations thereof: vitamin Bi (thiamin, thiamin pyrophosphate, TPP, thiamin triphosphate, TTP, thiamin hydrochloride, thiamin mononitrate), vitamin B2 (riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide, FMN, flavin adenine dinucleotide, FAD, lactoflavin, ovoflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, niacinamide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD, nicotinic acid mononucleotide, NicMN, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid), vitamin B3-precursor tryptophan, vitamin Βε (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine hydrochloride), pantothenic acid (pantothenate, panthenol), folate (folic acid, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid), vitamin ₁₂ (cobalamin, methylcobalamin, deoxyadenosylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, adenosylcobalamin), biotin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin A (retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, retinyl esters with other long-chain fatty acids, retinal, retinoic acid, retinol esters), vitamin D (calciferol, cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, 1,25,-dihydroxyvitamin D), vitamin E (a-tocopherol, a-tocopherol acetate, α-tocopherol succinate, α-tocopherol nicotinate, α-tocopherol), vitamin K (vitamin Ki, phylloquinone, naphthoquinone, vitamin K2, menaquinone-7, vitamin K3, menaquinone-4, menadione, menaquinone-8, menaquinone-8H, menaquinone-9, menaquinone-9H, menaquinone-10, menaquinone-11, menaquinone-12, menaquinone-13), choline, inositol, β- carotene and any combinations thereof.

[0182] In embodiments providing a children's nutritional product, such as a growing-up milk, the composition may optionally include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following minerals or derivations thereof: boron, calcium, calcium acetate, calcium gluconate, calcium chloride, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, chloride, chromium, chromium chloride, chromium picolonate, copper, copper sulfate, copper gluconate, cupric sulfate, fluoride, iron, carbonyl iron, ferric iron, ferrous fumarate, ferric orthophosphate, iron trituration, polysaccharide iron, iodide, iodine, magnesium, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, potassium phosphate, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, potassium acetate, selenium, sulfur, sodium, docusate sodium, sodium chloride, sodium selenate, sodium molybdate, zinc, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting exemplary derivatives of mineral compounds include salts, alkaline salts, esters and chelates of any mineral compound.

[0183] The minerals can be added to growing-up milks or to other children's nutritional compositions in the form of salts such as calcium phosphate, calcium glycerol phosphate, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, cupric sulfate, manganese sulfate, and sodium selenite. Additional vitamins and minerals can be added as known within the art.

[0184] The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may optionally include one or more of the following flavoring agents, including, but not limited to, flavored extracts, volatile oils, cocoa or chocolate flavorings, peanut butter flavoring, cookie crumbs, vanilla or any commercially available flavoring. Examples of useful flavorings include, but are not limited to, pure anise extract, imitation banana extract, imitation cherry extract, chocolate extract, pure lemon extract, pure orange extract, pure peppermint extract, honey, imitation pineapple extract, imitation rum extract, imitation strawberry extract, or vanilla extract; or volatile oils, such as balm oil, bay oil, bergamot oil, cedarwood oil, cherry oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, or peppermint oil; peanut butter, chocolate flavoring, vanilla cookie crumb, butterscotch, toffee, and mixtures thereof. The amounts of flavoring agent can vary greatly depending upon the flavoring agent used. The type and amount of flavoring agent can be selected as is known in the art.

[0185] The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may optionally include one or more emulsifiers that may be added for stability of the final product. Examples of suitable emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, lecithin (e.g., from egg or soy), alpha lactalbumin and/or mono- and di-glycerides, and mixtures thereof. Other emulsifiers are readily apparent to the skilled artisan and selection of suitable emulsifier(s) will depend, in part, upon the formulation and final product. Indeed, the incorporation of a blend of intact protein, protein hydrolysates, and amino acids into a nutritional composition, such as an infant formula, may require the presence of at least on emulsifier to ensure that the blend of intact protein, hydrolysates, and amino acids do not separate from the fat or proteins contained within the infant formula during shelf-storage or preparation.

[0186] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 0.5 wt% to about 1 wt% of emulsifier based on the total dry weight of the nutritional composition. In other embodiments, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 0.7 wt% to about 1 wt% of emulsifier based on the total dry weight of the nutritional composition.

[0187] In some embodiments where the nutritional composition is a ready-to-use liquid composition, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 200 mg/L to about 600 mg/L of emulsifier. Still, in certain embodiments, the nutritional composition may include from about 300 mg/L to about 500 mg/L of emulsifier. In other embodiments, the nutritional composition may include from about 400 mg/L to about 500 mg/L of emulsifier.

[0188] The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may optionally include one or more preservatives that may also be added to extend product shelf life. Suitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, potassium benzoate, sodium benzoate, potassium citrate, calcium disodium EDTA, and mixtures thereof. The incorporation of a preservative in the nutritional composition including a blend of intact protein, protein hydrolysates, and/or amino acids ensures that the nutritional composition has a suitable shelf-life such that, once reconstituted for administration, the nutritional composition delivers nutrients that are bioavailable and/or provide health and nutrition benefits for the target subject.

[0189] In some embodiments the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 0.1 wt% to about 1.0 wt% of a preservative based on the total dry weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 0.4 wt% to about 0.7 wt% of a preservative based on the total dry weight of the composition.

[0190] In some embodiments where the nutritional composition is a ready-to-use liquid composition, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 0.5 g/L to about 5 g/L of preservative. Still, in certain embodiments, the nutritional composition may include from about 1 g/L to about 3 g/L of preservative.

[0191] The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may optionally include one or more stabilizers. Suitable stabilizers for use in practicing the nutritional composition of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, agar, furcellaran, guar gum, gellan gum, locust bean gum, pectin, low methoxyl pectin, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, CMC (sodium carboxymethylcellulose), methylcellulose hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, DATEM (diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides), dextran, carrageenans, and mixtures thereof. Indeed, incorporating a suitable stabilizer in the nutritional composition including intact protein, protein hydrolysates, and/or amino acids ensures that the nutritional composition has a suitable shelf-life such that, once reconstituted for administration, the nutritional composition delivers nutrients that are bioavailable and/or provide health and nutrition benefits for the target subject.

[0192] In some embodiments where the nutritional composition is a ready-to-use liquid composition, the nutritional composition may be formulated to include from about 50 mg/L to about 150 mg/L of stabilizer. Still, in certain embodiments, the nutritional composition may include from about 80 mg/L to about 120 mg/L of stabilizer.

[0193] The nutritional compositions of the disclosure may provide minimal, partial or total nutritional support. The compositions may be nutritional supplements or meal replacements. The compositions may, but need not, be nutritionally complete. In an embodiment, the nutritional composition of the disclosure is nutritionally complete and contains suitable types and amounts of lipid, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals. The amount of lipid or fat typically can vary from about 1 to about 25 g/100 Kcal. The amount of protein typically can vary from about 1 to about 3 g/100 Kcal. The amount of carbohydrate typically can vary from about 6 to about 22 g/100 Kcal.

[0194] In an embodiment, the children's nutritional composition may contain between about 10 and about 50% of the maximum dietary recommendation for any given country, or between about 10 and about 50% of the average dietary recommendation for a group of countries, per serving of vitamins A, C, and E, zinc, iron, iodine, selenium, and choline. In another embodiment, the children's nutritional composition may supply about 10 - 30% of the maximum dietary recommendation for any given country, or about 10 - 30% of the average dietary recommendation for a group of countries, per serving of B-vitamins. In yet another embodiment, the levels of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium in the children's nutritional product may correspond with the average levels found in milk. In other embodiments, other nutrients in the children's nutritional composition may be present at about 20% of the maximum dietary recommendation for any given country, or about 20% of the average dietary recommendation for a group of countries, per serving.

[0195] In some embodiments the nutritional composition is an infant formula. Infant formulas are fortified nutritional compositions for an infant. The content of an infant formula is dictated by federal regulations, which define macronutrient, vitamin, mineral, and other ingredient levels in an effort to simulate the nutritional and other properties of human breast milk. Infant formulas are designed to support overall health and development in a pediatric human subject, such as an infant or a child.

[0196] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition of the present disclosure is a growing- up milk. Growing-up milks are fortified milk-based beverages intended for children over 1 year of age (typically from 1-3 years of age, from 4-6 years of age or from 1-6 years of age). They are not medical foods and are not intended as a meal replacement or a supplement to address a particular nutritional deficiency. Instead, growing-up milks are designed with the intent to serve as a complement to a diverse diet to provide additional insurance that a child achieves continual, daily intake of all essential vitamins and minerals, macronutrients plus additional functional dietary components, such as non-essential nutrients that have purported health-promoting properties.

[0197] The exact composition of a growing-up milk or other nutritional composition according to the present disclosure can vary from market-to-market, depending on local regulations and dietary intake information of the population of interest. In some embodiments, nutritional compositions according to the disclosure consist of a milk protein source, such as whole or skim milk, plus added sugar and sweeteners to achieve desired sensory properties, and added vitamins and minerals. The fat composition includes an enriched lipid fraction derived from milk. Total protein can be targeted to match that of human milk, cow milk or a lower value. Total carbohydrate is usually targeted to provide as little added sugar, such as sucrose or fructose, as possible to achieve an acceptable taste. Typically, Vitamin A, calcium and Vitamin D are added at levels to match the nutrient contribution of regional cow milk. Otherwise, in some embodiments, vitamins and minerals can be added at levels that provide approximately 20% of the dietary reference intake (DRI) or 20% of the Daily Value (DV) per serving. Moreover, nutrient values can vary between markets depending on the identified nutritional needs of the intended population, raw material contributions and regional regulations.

[0198] The disclosed nutritional composition(s) may be provided in any form known in the art, such as a powder, a gel, a suspension, a paste, a solid, a liquid, a liquid concentrate, a reconstituteable powdered milk substitute or a ready-to-use product. The nutritional composition may, in certain embodiments, comprise a nutritional supplement, children's nutritional product, infant formula, human milk fortifier, growing-up milk or any other nutritional composition designed for an infant or a pediatric subject. Nutritional compositions of the present disclosure include, for example, orally-ingestible, health-promoting substances including, for example, foods, beverages, tablets, capsules and powders. Moreover, the nutritional composition of the present disclosure may be standardized to a specific caloric content, it may be provided as a ready-to-use product, or it may be provided in a concentrated form. In some embodiments, the nutritional composition is in powder form with a particle size in the range of 5 μιη to 1500 μιη, more preferably in the range of 10 μιη to 300μιη.

[0199] The nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may be provided in a suitable container system. For example, non-limiting examples of suitable container systems include plastic containers, metal containers, foil pouches, plastic pouches, multi-layered pouches, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the nutritional composition may be a powdered composition that is contained within a plastic container. In certain other embodiments, the nutritional composition may be contained within a plastic pouch located inside a plastic container.

[0200] In some embodiments, the method is directed to manufacturing a powdered nutritional composition. The term "powdered nutritional composition" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to dry-blended powdered nutritional formulations comprising protein, and specifically plant protein, and at least one of fat and carbohydrate, which are reconstitutable with an aqueous liquid, and which are suitable for oral administration to a human.

[0201] Indeed, in some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of dry-blending selected nutritional powders of the nutrients selected to create a base nutritional powder to which additional selected ingredients, such as dietary butyrate, may be added and further blended with the base nutritional powder. The term "dry-blended" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to the mixing of components or ingredients to form a base nutritional powder or, to the addition of a dry, powdered or granulated component or ingredient to a base powder to form a powdered nutritional formulation. In some embodiments, the base nutritional powder is a milk- based nutritional powder. In some embodiments, the base nutritional powder includes at least one fat, one protein, and one carbohydrate. The powdered nutritional formulations may have a caloric density tailored to the nutritional needs of the target subject. [0202] The powdered nutritional compositions may be formulated with sufficient kinds and amounts of nutrients so as to provide a sole, primary, or supplemental source of nutrition, or to provide a specialized powdered nutritional formulation for use in individuals afflicted with specific diseases or conditions. For example, in some embodiments, the nutritional compositions disclosed herein may be suitable for administration to pediatric subjects and infants in order provide exemplary health benefits disclosed herein.

[0203] The powdered nutritional compositions provided herein may further comprise other optional ingredients that may modify the physical, chemical, hedonic or processing characteristics of the products or serve as nutritional components when used in the targeted population. Many such optional ingredients are known or otherwise suitable for use in other nutritional products and may also be used in the powdered nutritional compositions described herein, provided that such optional ingredients are safe and effective for oral administration and are compatible with the essential and other ingredients in the selected product form. Non-limiting examples of such optional ingredients include preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifying agents, buffers, additional nutrients as described herein, colorants, flavors, thickening agents and stabilizers, and so forth.

[0204] The powdered nutritional compositions of the present disclosure may be packaged and sealed in single or multi-use containers, and then stored under ambient conditions for up to about 36 months or longer, more typically from about 12 to about 24 months. For multi-use containers, these packages can be opened and then covered for repeated use by the ultimate user, provided that the covered package is then stored under ambient conditions (e.g., avoid extreme temperatures) and the contents used within about one month or so.

[0205] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of placing the nutritional compositions in a suitable package. A suitable package may comprise a container, tub, pouch, sachet, bottle, or any other container known and used in the art for containing nutritional composition. In some embodiments, the package containing the nutritional composition is a plastic container. In some embodiments, the package containing the nutritional composition is a metal, glass, coated or laminated cardboard or paper container. Generally, these types of packaging materials are suitable for use with certain sterilization methods utilized during the manufacturing of nutritional compositions formulated for oral administration. [0206] In some embodiments, the nutritional compositions are packaged in a container. The container for use herein may include any container suitable for use with powdered and/or liquid nutritional products that is also capable of withstanding aseptic processing conditions (e.g., sterilization) as described herein and known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A suitable container may be a single-dose container, or may be a multi-dose resealable, or recloseable container that may or may not have a sealing member, such as a thin foil sealing member located below the cap. Non-limiting examples of such containers include bags, plastic bottles or containers, pouches, metal cans, glass bottles, juice box-type containers, foil pouches, plastic bags sold in boxes, or any other container meeting the above-described criteria. In some embodiments, the container is a resealable multi-dose plastic container. In certain embodiments, the resealable multi-dose plastic container further comprises a foil seal and a plastic resealable cap. In some embodiments, the container may include a direct seal screw cap. In other embodiments, the container may be a flexible pouch.

[0207] In some embodiments, the nutritional composition is a liquid nutritional composition and is processed via a "retort packaging" or "retort sterilizing" process. The terms "retort packaging" and "retort sterilizing" are used interchangeably herein, and unless otherwise specified, refer to the common practice of filling a container, most typically a metal can or other similar package, with a nutritional liquid and then su bjecting the liquid-filled package to the necessary heat sterilization step, to form a sterilized, retort packaged, nutritional liquid product.

[0208] In some embodiments, the nutritional compositions disclosed herein are processed via an acceptable aseptic packaging method. The term "aseptic packaging" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to the manufacture of a packaged product without reliance upon the above-described retort packaging step, wherein the nutritional liquid and package are sterilized separately prior to filling, and then are combined under sterilized or aseptic processing conditions to form a sterilized, aseptically packaged, nutritional liquid product.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

[0209] Formulation examples are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the nutritional composition of the present disclosure but should not be interpreted as any limitation thereon. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the consideration of the specification or practice of the nutritional composition or methods disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification, together with the example, be considered to be exemplary only, with the scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims which follow the example. [0210] Table 2 provides an example embodiment of a nutritional composition according to the present disclosure and describes the amount of each ingredient to be included per 100 kcal serving.

Table 2. Nutrition profile of an example nutritional composition

Nutrient Amount per

100 kcal

Cow's milk protein (g) 1.6

Beta-casein enriched casein hydrolysate 0.16

(g)

Glutamic acid (mg) 20

Tryptophan (mg) 5

Alanine (mg) 5

Fat (g) 5.3

Linoleic acid (mg) 810

Alpha-linolenic acid (mg) 71

Docosahexaenoic acid (mg) 17.8

Arachidonic acid (mg) 36

Carbohydrates (g) 11.2

GOS (g) 0.31

Polydextrose (g) 0.31

Vitamin A ^g) 84

Vitamin D ^g) 1.55

Vitamin E (mg) 1.27 Nutrient Amount per 100 kcal

Vitamin K ^g) 7.2

Thiamin ^g) 85

Riboflavin g) 170

Vitamin B6 fag) 60

Vitamin B12 fag) 0.31

Niacin fag) 660

Folic Acid fag) 18

Pantothenic Acid fag) 570

Biotin fag) 2.7

Vitamin C (mg) 18

Sodium (mg) 28

Potassium (mg) 110

Chloride (mg) 65

Calcium (mg) 79

Phosphorus (mg) 48

Magnesium (mg) 8

Iodine ^g) 17

Iron (mg) 1

Copper fag) 65

Zinc (mg) 0.8 Nutrient Amount per

100 kcal

Manganese ^g) 18

Selenium ^g) 2.7

Choline (mg) 24

Inositol (mg) 8.5

Carnitine (mg) 2

Taurine (mg) 6

Total Nucleotides (mg) 3.1

Lactoferrin (g) 0.09

[0211] All references cited in this specification, including without limitation, all papers, publications, patents, patent applications, presentations, texts, reports, manuscripts, brochures, books, internet postings, journal articles, periodicals, and the like, are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in their entireties. The discussion of the references herein is intended merely to summarize the assertions made by their authors and no admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited references.

[0212] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein.