Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT)

Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT)

Product Description

Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) is a core neutral human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) naturally abundant in human breast milk and widely used as a reference standard and functional glycan in microbiome, glycobiology, and nutrition research. Structurally composed of Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc, LNT represents the fundamental type-1 HMO backbone and serves as a biosynthetic precursor to several fucosylated and sialylated HMOs including Lacto-N-fucopentaoses and sialyl-LNT derivatives.

LNT plays a key biological role in shaping infant gut microbiota by selectively promoting the growth of beneficial Bifidobacterium species (especially B. longum subsp. infantis). Due to its structural similarity to epithelial glycans, it acts as a soluble receptor decoy that inhibits pathogen attachment to intestinal cells. LNT has therefore become an essential compound for studying host-microbe interactions, infant nutrition formulations, mucosal immunity, and glycan-mediated cell signaling.

Key Features

• Natural human milk oligosaccharide (HMO)
• Type-1 chain core glycan scaffold
• Selective Bifidobacteria growth promoter
• Pathogen adhesion inhibitor via receptor mimicry
• Precursor for fucosylated and sialylated HMOs
• Suitable for microbiome, nutrition, and glycobiology research

Appearance & Solubility

• White to off-white amorphous powder
• Highly water soluble; forms clear aqueous solutions
• Hygroscopic in nature

Applications

• Gut microbiome and probiotic studies
• Infant nutrition and HMO formulation research
• Pathogen adhesion and infection mechanism studies
• Glycan-protein interaction assays (lectins & receptors)
• Biosynthetic pathway and enzymatic glycosylation research
• Reference standard for analytical methods (HPLC, LC-MS, NMR)

Quality & Storage

• Research grade material
• Store at −20°C in tightly sealed container
• Protect from moisture and repeated freeze-thaw cycles
• Stable for long-term storage under desiccated conditions