Cow Milk Oligosaccharides and Their Relevance to Infant Nutrition

Abstract

Cow milk oligosaccharides (CMOs) are complex carbohydrates found in cow milk that resemble the oligosaccharides in human milk and are essential for regulating the immune system and forming the gut flora of infants. As prebiotics, they promote the growth of specific beneficial gut bacteria, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, thus promoting the creation of short-chain fatty acids for gut health. Furthermore, CMOs correlate with enhanced infant immune system development, offering safeguards against pathogens and anti-inflammatory benefits. The results of recent CMO research are revealed in this review, together with their biological importance and potential applications. Their relevance to infant nutrition is highlighted, as is their potential to be used as bioactive ingredients in novel functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study also describes upcoming obstacles and opportunities for CMO research, such as understanding their structures and functions, improving extraction methods, and expanding applications to different age groups.

Keywords

• oligosaccharides
• cow milk
• prebiotics
• infant nutrition
• bioactive compounds