Kaneka’s gut-brain axis probiotic is now self-affirmed GRAS

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Kaneka (Pasadena, TX) has announced that its Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 probiotic, designed to support the gut-brain axis, is now self-affirmed GRAS. Branded as Floradapt Brain, the probiotic was deemed by a GRAS panel to not be harmful under the conditions of its intended use, based on published clinical trials, phenotypic data, and genotypic analysis. According to Kaneka, DR7 promotes healthy brain metabolism by upregulating the tryptophan-serotonin pathway by driving the tryptophan metabolic pathway towards serotonin, instead of the kyneurine degradation pathway.

Through the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, DR7 helps reduce symptoms of stress, and the stress biomarker cortisol. The tryptophan-kyneurine pathway is also associated with immunosuppression, so DR7 also supports immune health. “The neurochemistry of the brain is one of the most exciting new playgrounds of probiotics. We have the most competent strain in the gut-brain axis field with L. Plantarum DR7, based on its unique ability to impact the biosynthesis of serotonin,” said Mike Kolifrath, vice president, sales and marketing of the probiotics division at Kaneka, in a press release. “The conclusion of the GRAS panel that Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 is GRAS under the conditions of its intended use is confirmation of the quality, safety and scientific rigor behind our proprietary DR7 strain.”