Singapore Biotech Startup AMILI Partners with DSM-Firmenich to Advance Gut Health Research in Asia

Singapore - A Singapore biotech startup, AMILI, is partnering with ingredients firm DSM-Firmenich to study the role of human mucin oligosaccharides (HMOs) in supporting neurological function, immune, and metabolic health. The partnership aims to advance Asia's gut health research and address knowledge gaps in this area.

According to Dr Germaine Yong, AMILI's lead scientist, HMOs have been shown to drive the production of key metabolites such as GABA and tryptophan, which play a crucial role in neurological functions. This study is a significant step towards understanding the complex relationships between gut health and overall well-being.

Separately, researchers at the National University of Singapore and Sunway University found that Chinese adults in Singapore and Malaysia who consume high-fibre diets are less likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis and allergies to house dust mites. The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, highlights the importance of dietary habits in preventing allergic diseases.

In another breakthrough, a new study published in Heliyon found that low-dose ashwagandha supplementation can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels in healthy adults. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 60 participants facing higher-than-normal levels of stress and anxiety, and showed that both 120mg and 60mg daily doses of ashwagandha reduced cortisol levels compared to the placebo group.

The growing interest in nutraceuticals has been reflected in the media last year, with research news on safety and quality topping a list of most-read stories. Probiotics and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) were also among the topics that dominated headlines.

Notably, a study highlighted mislabelling and contamination problems in protein powder sold across India, while another study found that commercially available NMN supplements failed to meet label claims.

To address the lack of microbiome data specific to Asians, as well as knowledge gaps on the impact of gut microbiome at critical life milestones, DSM-Firmenich is funding five projects in Asia that study the effects of HMOs and postbiotics on immunity, metabolism, ageing, and mental health. Each project will receive €50k (USD52,749) to support 18 months of research.