Science

Our platform includes Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME), flow cytometry, whole genome sequencing, functional metagenomics, untargeted metabolomics, and a proprietary screening platform to isolate mechanistic pathways in a host model built on intellectual property exclusively licensed from The Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School.

Our strain collection includes probiotic strains banked in Italy, Denmark, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain, Japan, and the United States. Our collection of strains, methods of use, finished formulations, and scale-up processes are unique to Seed and not found in yoghurt, fermented foods, or ‘probiotic’ beverages.

All of our strains have GRAS and/or QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status under the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA). They are not cultured with, and are free from the 14 Classes of Allergens defined in Annex IIIa of Directive 2007/68/EC.Directive 2007/68/EC.

Every microbe has its own preferred growth medium and ideal fermentation parameters for maximum viability as a probiotic. Our bacteria are biofermented in conditions optimized for pH, temperature, oxygen, water activity, and 26 other growth factors. Our mediums do not contain meat or dairy. Biofermentation of all strains are conducted under cGMP and HACCP guidelines.

Our mechanistic research includes human cell line testing (Caco-2), in vitro research (TEER test), short-chain fatty acid testing, gastrointestinal transit assays measuring resistance to biological substances (stomach acid, primary bile salts, secondary bile salts, digestive enzymes), and a genomic pathway model evaluating oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects on specific pathways (Nrf2) in the human body.

To date, our strains have collectively been studied in 16 strain-specific, double-blind, placebo-controlled, published human studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Japan, as well as 12 in vitro/ex vivo mechanistic studies. Primary and secondary outcomes demonstrate statistically significant improvements in multiple markers of gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, and dermatological health. These studies are published in peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, Scientific Reports (Nature), and JAMA Dermatology, and are all indexed to PubMed, the central database for life science journal literature at the National Institute of Health.