How ProSilience™ HU58™ is redefining the standard in functional foods
In a market where functional foods – such as snacks, protein bars and cereals – are rapidly becoming a standard rather than a differentiator, the question is no longer whether these products provide additional health benefits, but how relevant and credible these benefits are for consumers.
And the answer is increasingly shifting towards one essential aspect: what are the real benefits for digestive health and the microbiome?
The claim “high in fibre” is no longer enough, as perceived value is moving from ingredients towards the actual effects they deliver.
While fibre was, until recently, the main functional argument, consumers today are becoming increasingly interested in solutions that act directly on the microbiome. According to Novonesis studies, 85% of consumers are interested in probiotics in functional foods, driven by growing concerns around digestion and immunity.
The real challenge for the industry lies in probiotic stability and their behaviour during thermal processing.
Several key technological barriers limit the integration of probiotics into food products. Industrial processing, storage conditions and shelf life can significantly reduce the number of live bacteria, affecting product effectiveness. In many cases, products that promote the presence of probiotics cannot guarantee that they reach consumers in relevant quantities.
As a result, the difference between a product “with probiotics” and one that delivers real benefits is not defined by the formula itself, but by the ingredient’s performance during processing and consumption.
From ingredient to functional solution: ProSilience™ HU58™
ProSilience™ HU58™, developed by global leader Novonesis and distributed by Biocult, changes this paradigm by offering what the industry has been seeking for years: a probiotic that withstands processing and maintains its effectiveness throughout the product’s shelf life.
Based on Bacillus subtilis, HU58™ offers a critical advantage: resilience during processing and superior stability, redefining the standard in the functional food industry.
HU58™ stands out through its stability during industrial processing (up to 180°C), maintaining high cell viability and a consistent profile throughout shelf life.
Compared with other strains, clinical studies show a significantly higher survival rate, with performance exceeding that of certain alternatives, such as Bacillus coagulans, by more than 3 times.
For manufacturers, this translates into predictability and consistency in the final product, as well as genuine market differentiation.
Another major advantage for manufacturers is its easy integration into production processes.
ProSilience™ HU58™ does not affect the taste or texture of the final product, does not require major reformulation and integrates easily into existing production flows. This means innovation without hidden operational costs.
For the end consumer, the benefits go beyond ingredient stability in the finished product. The real difference lies in the way ProSilience™ HU58™ supports digestive health, contributes to microbiome balance and helps support immune system function.
HU58™ enables the transformation of snacks, cereals, bars and other products in this category into choices with added health value, rather than simply convenient consumption options.
And these benefits are fully aligned with current consumer priorities.
ProSilience™ HU58™ defines a new standard for the functional food industry, as the integration of probiotics provides a strategic framework for transforming core products into value-added solutions, creating differentiation in a crowded category and responding to evolving market trends and demand.
The future of functional foods is no longer defined solely by formulation, but by real functionality.
ProSilience™ HU58™ enables this transition from “enhanced” products to products with proven benefits.
Novozymes global consumer study (US, Europe and China), 2022, n=6009