Research Platform

Kerry works closely with some of the brightest minds in the industry by collaborating with key research institutes and universities to help keep us ahead of the market in terms of scientific developments and innovation. Focus areas for long-term collaborative and independent nutrition research spans all life stages and various need states.

Digestive Health

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Kerry Sponsored Independent Research:

Kerry, in collaboration with the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC), will screen a range of ingredients in vitro using an invitro model of digestion followed by a faecal fermentation system, which resembles the colon.

The objective is to assess which ingredients increase the microbial diversity in the colon and examine the subsequent health benefits on the host via assessing key measures of inflammation and immune function biomakers in a mouse model of acute inflammation.

Appetite Modulation

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Kerry Sponsored Independent Research:

Kerry, in collaboration with researchers at University College Cork (UCC), will screen the effects of the Kerry protein hydrolysates digests, which are digested via adult and infant invitro gastric and intestinal digestive systems, on appetite modulation.

The objective is to assess the influence of the digests on the ghrelin receptor in the human embryonic kidney cells. In particular, non-dairy protein hydrolysates have proven to exhibit good ghrelin receptors activation ability. The focus of this research is on stimulating appetite, which can potentially improve compliance with nutritional intakes by consumers with diminished intake, such as those who are in healthcare settings. Additional research is ongoing to evaluate the effects of a sodium caseinate based protein fraction on ghrelin receptor activation.

Maternal Health

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Collaborative Research:

Kerry is an industry partner in Food for Health Ireland (FHI). As part of the maternal health programme in FHI, using a pig-based model, protein hydrolysates alone or in combination with β-glucans will be assessed for their ability to programme the development of the foetus inutero and in post natal life. Potential benefits of this research would be to improve the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation antenatally in the offspring.

Immunity

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Kerry Sponsored Independent Research:

Kerry, in collaboration with researchers at Teagasc, is examining the level and degree of digestion of Kerry protein hydrolysates using invitro adult and infant gastric and intestinal digestive systems. The level and degree of digestion can help ease digestion and improve tolerance.

Furthermore, in collaboration with researchers at Dublin City University (DCU), impact of these digests on biomarkers of allergy and inflammation in undifferentiated T-cells is also being studied . Non-dairy protein and casein hydrolysates, in particular, exhibited potential to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy effects on initial pre-screening. Kerry is further investigating the mechanism of action of these protein hydrolysates on immune responses.

 

Collaborative Research:

Kerry, in collaboration with FHI, is exploring the concentration of oligosaccharides from bovine milk. The potential benefits from the consumption of such oligosaccharides, may include improving resistance to respiratory infections.

Muscle Development & Maintenance

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Collaborative Research

Kerry, in collaboration with FHI, is examining the effects of nutritional product containing select dairy based peptides on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and physical performance. The nutritional product may have the potential to build muscle mass in healthy men and women 50+, and help maintain lean tissue mass as they age.

Cognition

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Kerry Internal Development

Maintaining proper cognitive functions and health is important across the spectrum of life. This is a new area of research investigation for the Kerry research programme.

Glycaemic Management

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Kerry Sponsored Independent Research:

Kerry, in collaboration with researchers at University College Dublin (UCD), is examining the effects of protein hydrolysates post-invitro digestion, on their ability to stimulate production and activity of insulin in pancreatic beta-cell models.

 

Collaborative Research

Kerry, in collaboration with FHI, has completed evaluation of the glycemic management potential of a sodium caseinate hydrolysate. This investigator shows that sodium caseinate hydrolysate may help improve glucose homeostasis, optimise glycaemic index and improve insulin sensitivity.

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