AP Technology Announces World's First HMO Production Technology Using Corynebacterium at ACLAB

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] AP Technology, a company specializing in Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO), announced on the 1st that it participated in the Asian Conference on Lactic Acid Bacteria (ACLAB) and presented the world’s first developed ‘Corynebacterium-based Human Milk Oligosaccharide Production Technology.’

Jongwon Yoon, the lead researcher, stated, “Along with the world’s first developed technology, we presented the effects and functions of human milk oligosaccharides and 2’-FL (2’-fucosyllactose) on the human body,” adding, “Unlike conventional prebiotics, human milk oligosaccharides can be selectively utilized only by specific beneficial lactic acid bacteria, playing an important role in activating the bioavailability of probiotics.”

The Asian Conference on Lactic Acid Bacteria is an annual event supported by the Asian Federation of Lactic Acid Bacteria (AFSLAB). This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held online, with leading Asian companies and renowned researchers participating to share scientific advancements in probiotics.

Human milk oligosaccharides are representative components found in high concentrations only in breast milk, performing functions such as forming a healthy gut microbiome, expelling harmful bacteria and viruses, activating immunity, and promoting growth and protection of brain cells. Among many oligosaccharides, 2’-FL, which accounts for the highest proportion, helps the human body form its defense system and has recently been recognized as a key factor influencing the immune system.

An AP Technology official said, “This year was a year in which we proved both technological capability and commercial potential by entering global e-commerce platforms and participating in various academic conferences,” adding, “Based on the secured technology and production capacity, we expect explosive performance growth next year.”

AP Technology is a company that developed human milk oligosaccharide production technology using an internationally patented bioprocess. It completed a production plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, with an annual capacity of 100 tons of human milk oligosaccharides and plans to expand domestically and internationally in the future. The company has obtained GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and food ingredient approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and recently entered the global market through Amazon.