2′-Fucosyllactose

2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL) stands as the predominant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), manifesting as a pristine white crystalline powder vital for neonatal gut maturation. Commercially synthesized through precision microbial fermentation, this trisaccharide underpins infant immunity by fostering beneficial microbiota while thwarting pathogens, with extensive validation across regulatory dossiers and peer-reviewed literature.

Appearance

• Presents as an immaculate white crystalline powder, exhibiting a sharp melting profile at 230-231°C and exceptional water solubility exceeding 240 g/L, facilitating seamless integration into formulations.​

Source

• Derived intrinsically from human lactation, constituting ~30% of total HMOs in secretor mothers’ milk; industrially scaled via genetically optimized strains like E. coli BL21(DE3) or Corynebacterium glutamicum.​

Molecular Weight and Structure

• Boasts a precise molecular mass of 488.44 g/mol under formula C₁₈H₃₂O₁₅, featuring an α-L-Fucp-(1→2)-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-D-Glcp trisaccharide scaffold that confers unique glycan mimicry.

Sugar Specificity

• Exhibits selective affinity for fucose-binding lectins and microbial adhesins through its terminal α-1,2-linked fucose residue, selectively hydrolyzed by bacterial α-fucosidases from Bifidobacterium spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila.​

Biological Activity

• Functions as a potent prebiotic, selectively amplifying Bifidobacterium proliferation, fortifying the mucosal barrier via Mucin-2 upregulation, and antagonizing enteric threats like Campylobacter jejuni alongside Salmonella; additionally mitigates necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) incidence while supporting neurodevelopment.

Purity and Microbial Contamination

• Achieves ≥95-98% purity via quantitative NMR or HPLC assays, with stringent microbial limits including endotoxins ≤10-300 EU/g, aflatoxins <0.025 µg/kg, and total viable counts curtailed by ultrafiltration; residual moisture capped at ≤9%.​

Identity and Quality Control

• Confirmed through orthogonal analytics: ¹H-NMR for structural fidelity, HPLC on Rezex ROA columns for purity, LC-MS for molecular integrity, plus ICP-MS for heavy metals and residual solvents per batch COA.​

Shelf Life and Storage

• Offers 24-60 months stability when sealed under desiccated conditions at -10 to -25°C, or ambient for amorphous variants; maintain in cool, arid, ventilated repositories to avert hydrolytic degradation.​

Applications

• Integral to infant formula enrichment for microbiota orchestration and immune priming; extends to prebiotic therapeutics, anti-infective research, and emerging roles in NAFLD mitigation.​

Key Characteristics

• Demonstrates hydrolytic resilience in proximal digestion, selectively trafficking to the colon for targeted fermentation yielding immunomodulatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).​

Citation Links