ADM has expanded its licensing agreement with Asahi to bring Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic to new applications and global markets.
The agreement extends use of the postbiotic, which supports mood, stress and sleep, to beverage applications in additional regions, helping ADM customers develop convenient wellness products.
New clinical research also found that L. gasseri CP2305 was associated with changes in brain activity linked to relaxation and resting state during a one-hour study.
Published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the double-blind, randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled study involved 28 healthy adults who received either one L. gasseri CP2305 tablet or a placebo.
Researchers measured brain activity by EEG, heart-rate variability (HRV) by ECG, and self-reported stress and mood.
“Through continuous innovation, scientific expertise and market insight, we help customers anticipate consumer needs and develop relevant solutions,” said Mark Lotsch, ADM President of Global Health and Wellness.
Lotsch added that extending L. gasseri CP2305 to beverages demonstrates how ADM creates value for customers and consumers.
“By combining Asahi’s scientific expertise with ADM’s commercialisation capabilities, we can bring L. gasseri CP2305 to more consumers and support innovation across food, beverage and supplement applications,” said Yoshitomo Kanaoka, Managing Corporate Officer, Asahi Group Foods, Ltd.
Postbiotics pave the way
Postbiotics such as L. gasseri CP2305 combine clinically documented functionality with formulation flexibility. They can withstand high heat and water content in foods, beverages and supplements such as gummies.
The expanded agreement makes L. gasseri CP2305 available for beverages, where it can remain effective throughout shelf-life without refrigeration.
It also strengthens ADM’s postbiotic portfolio for convenient wellness products.
Next-generation research and innovation potential
As awareness of the gut–brain connection grows, postbiotics offer science-backed benefits beyond supplements. ADM research indicates demand for sleep, stress and mood support in convenient food and beverage formats.
L. gasseri CP2305 has shown benefits for sleep, stress and mood. The latest study also reported changes in brain activity and stress responses after a single dose, demonstrating the dynamic communication between the gut and brain.
The study’s primary finding was a significant increase in alpha brain activity after consumption of L. gasseri CP2305 versus placebo.
Alpha activity, associated with relaxation and eyes-closed rest, increased across frontal, parietal and occipital regions. Secondary findings included
- improved heart-rate variability, linked to the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response
- lower mental-stress scores and reduced tension-anxiety versus placebo.
In vitro, L. gasseri CP2305 increased serotonin release from intestinal cells six-fold, suggesting a potential mechanism for influencing gut–brain communication.
Other clinical studies suggest benefits for women’s health. In healthy young women with premenstrual symptoms, L. gasseri CP2305 may reduce stress, anxiety, vaginal discharge and occasional constipation while supporting mood and skin appearance.
In menopausal women, it may support physiological and emotional well-being.
“L. gasseri CP2305 shows how ADM translates science into next-generation nutrition solutions as consumer expectations evolve,” said Lotsch.
