Current trends in the composition of infant milk formulas

Potential Applications of Endo-β-N-Acetylglucosaminidases From Bifidobacterium longum Subspecies infantis in Designing Value-Added, Next-Generation Infant Formulas

Human milk is the optimal source of infant nutrition. Among many other health benefits, human milk can stimulate the development of a Bifidobacterium-rich microbiome through human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). In recent years, the development of novel formulas has placed particular focus on incorporating some of the beneficial functional properties of human milk. These include adding specific glycans aimed to selectively stimulate the growth of Bifidobacterium. However, the bifidogenicity of human milk remains unparalleled. Dietary N-glycans are carbohydrate structures conjugated to a wide variety of glycoproteins. These glycans have a remarkable structural similarity to HMOs and, when released, show a strong bifidogenic effect. This review discusses the biocatalytic potential of the endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase enzyme (EndoBI-1) from Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis), in releasing N-glycans inherently present in infant formula as means to increase the bifidogenicity of infant formula. Finally, the potential implications for protein deglycosylation with EndoBI-1 in the development of value added, next-generation formulas are discussed from a technical perspective.

Nucleotide Analysis in Korean Dairy Products Using High- Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detector

Nucleotides play important roles in numerous intracellular biochemical processes and are used in infant formulas and other dairy products. However, domestic analytical methods for assessing nucleotide content in products have not yet been established, and therefore, methods for determining nucleotide content are urgently required. A rapid and simple analytical method for determining the content of five types of nucleotides in dairy products was improved using solid phase extraction clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector. The extraction solvent used in the AOAC method was not well dissolved and was changed to hydrophilic EDTA-Na. In addition, the results obtained using the isocratic elution method and a single wavelength were similar to those obtained using the AOAC method, and the time taken for analysis was shortened from 40 min to 25 min. The process of method validation revealed the following parameters: accuracy (84.69%-102.72%), precision (1.51%-6.82%), linearity (0.999), and limit of detection (cytidine 5'-monophosphate, 0.09 mg/L; uridine 5'-monophosphate, 0.11 mg/L; adenosine 5'-monophosphate, 0.12 mg/L; guanosine 5'-monophosphate, 0.11 mg/L; and inosine 5'-monophosphate, 0.14 mg/L). The method was also used to determine the nucleotide concentration in 25 samples (infant formulas, 1.99-29.39 mg/100 g; and cow milk, 0.28-0.83 mg/100 g). The newly improved method was appropriate for analyzing nucleotides in infant formulas and other dairy products faster when compared to conventional methods.

In vitro digestion of infant formulations with hydrolysed and non-hydrolysed proteins from dairy and soybean

Digestion of hydrolysed and non-hydrolysed dairy (casein and whey proteins) and soy proteins commonly used in infant formulations was studied underin vitrogastrointestinal (without lipases) conditions for 60 and 120 minutes in the stomach and small intestine, respectively.

Safety, growth, and support to healthy gut microbiota by an infant formula enriched with functional compounds

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Safety and growth adequacy of infant formulae enriched by functional ingredients need stringent evaluation by means of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), therefore we performed a double-blind RCT to evaluate an infant formula enriched with galacto-oligosaccharides, beta-palmitate, and acidified milk vs. a standard infant formula.

METHODS

Weight, length, head circumference and fecal bacteria (Bifidobacteria, BIF/Clostridia, CLO) were measured in healthy full term infants, at baseline - as before 21 days of life - at 60 and 135 days thereafter. A group of 51 neonates received the enriched formula (ENR), 59 the standard one (ST). Parents were trained to daily register gastrointestinal diseases.

RESULTS

All the infants grew homogeneously increasing the anthropometric parameters and complying with WHO and Italian standards: the mean (SD) difference in daily weight between ENR and ST groups was -0.74 (1.13) g/day, corresponding to a 90% CI of -2.62 to 1.13 g/day, well within the postulated interval of equivalence of -3.9 to +3.9 g/day. A statistical improvement in BIF concentration in the microbiota of infants fed by ENR was recorded. There was no between-group change in log₁₀CLO, but log₁₀BIF increase was higher at T2 vs. T0 in ENR (treatment × time interaction = 0.71, 95% CI 0.08-1.34, p = 0.028) than in ST neonates. This corresponds to estimated mean (95% CI) values of 8.37 (8.04-8.69) log₁₀-units for ENR vs. 8.08 (7.77-8.39) log₁₀-units for ST neonates. Gastrointestinal effects were mild and similar, with no statistical difference between two groups.

CONCLUSION

Safety and growth ability of the enriched formula has been confirmed. A positive effect on neonatal gut microbiota, consisting of increased fecal BIF counts at T2 vs. baseline has been shown too. Nonetheless, larger RCTs are needed to estimate with greater precision the effective potential attributable to the enriched formula on neonatal microbiota, with particular reference to the mode of delivery.

Immobilization, Regiospecificity Characterization and Application of Aspergillus oryzae Lipase in the Enzymatic Synthesis of the Structured Lipid 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoylglycerol

The enzymatic synthesis of 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO), one of the main components of human milk fats, has been hindered by the relatively high cost of sn-1,3-specific lipases and the deficiency in biocatalyst stability. The sn-1,3-specific lipase from Aspergillus oryzae (AOL) is highly and efficiently immobilized with the polystyrene-based hydrophobic resin D3520, with a significant 49.54-fold increase in specific lipase activity compared with the AOL powder in catalyzing the synthesis of OPO through the acidolysis between palm stearin and oleic acid (OA). The optimal immobilization conditions were investigated, including time course, initial protein concentration and solution pH. The sn-1,3 specificity of lipases under different immobilization conditions was evaluated and identified as positively associated with the lipase activity, and the pH of the immobilization solution influenced the regiospecificity and synthetic activity of these lipases. Immobilized AOL D3520, as the biocatalyst, was used for the enzymatic synthesis of the structured lipid OPO through the acidolysis between palm stearin and OA. The following conditions were optimized for the synthesis of structured lipid OPO: 65 °C temperature; 1:8 substrate molar ratio between palm stearin and OA; 8% (w/w) enzyme load; 3.5% water content of the immobilized lipase; and 1 h reaction time. Under these conditions, highly efficient C52 production (45.65%) was achieved, with a tripalmitin content of 2.75% and a sn-2 palmitic acid (PA) proportion of 55.08% in the system.

Comparative study about some physical properties, in vitro digestibility and immunoreactivity of soybean protein isolate for infant formula

The objective of this study was to determine molecular weight subunit distributions of soy protein isolate (SPI) by SDS-PAGE and gel size exclusion chromatography, and further to investigate the differences of thixotropy, viscosity, in vitro digestibility and immunoreactivity of SPI for infant formula produced in Chinese domestic companies and world famous SPI manufacturers such as Dupont and Fuji. The molecular subunit distributions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and gel size exclusion chromatography, indicating that Solae and Fuji were hydrolyzed by proteolytic enzymes. The thixotropy of Fuji and Solae significantly reduced around by 95 %, compared with those of Mantianxue and Dupont Zhengzhou. The allergen contents of Fuji and Solae strikingly decreased by 60 and 84 % respectively, in contrast to that of Mantianxue. The in vitro protein digestibility of Solae at the end of pepsin and trypsin digestion markedly increased by 11.7 and 11.3 %, respectively, in comparison to those of Mantianxue. Suitable enzymatic hydrolyzed SPIs showed lower thixotropy, viscosity, immunoreactivity and higher in vitro protein digestibility than those from the other SPIs. The lower thixotropy indicates low difficulty or shear stress in swallowing for infants. The lower immunoreactivity will improve the safety of SPI for cow milk allergic babies.

Evaluation of the mineral content of infant formulas consumed in Brazil

The mineral content of 10 commercially available milk-based infant formulas widely consumed in Brazil was investigated. The levels of elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after microwave-assisted wet digestion. The results were compared with the producers' label declarations and levels proposed by the Codex Alimentarius and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. The obtained results were in good agreement with certified reference materials, and the relative standard deviation of the measurements was always below 10%, with the exception of Cu (up to 14%). A high degree of variation between the experimental and producers' data was found for trace elements among different brands, with differences as high as 41 and 68% for Cu and Zn, respectively. The content of minerals in the starting formulas was in accordance with levels established by the Codex Alimentarius, with the exception of 1 brand that had a Zn level that was not in agreement with the Codex minimum value. Among follow-up formulas, 2 brands contained levels of Ca and K that were higher than the maximum established by Brazilian standards, and 1 brand contained less than the minimum value recommended for Zn. The guidance upper levels have not been established in the Codex Alimentarius for follow-up formulas, and the maximum value has been established for only 2 of the analyzed minerals. This lack of a standard could be a problem; as shown in the present study, if the Brazilian standard is used, several formulas could be considered out of specification. Despite the limited number of samples evaluated in this work, the levels of some elements were out of specification and special attention by the Brazilian government on the content of minerals in infant formulas is needed.

Breast-feeding duration: influence on taste acceptance over the first year of life

Early feeding experiences, e.g. related to milk feeding, can affect later food and taste preferences. However, consequences of breast-feeding on taste acceptance are under-investigated. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of exclusive breast-feeding duration (DEB) on taste acceptance at 6 and 12 months in the same infants (n122). Mothers recorded the DEB. Acceptance of solutions of each of the five basic tastes relative to water was evaluated in the laboratory at 6 and 12 months by the ingestion ratio (IR). Kendall correlations were calculated between the DEB and the IR. Only 16 % completed at least 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding; 79 % had begun complementary feeding by 6 months. At 6 months, infants preferred sweet, salty and umami solutions over water and were indifferent to sour and bitter solutions. The longer an infant was breast-fed, the more s/he accepted the umami solution at 6 months. At 12 months, infants preferred sweet and salty solutions over water and were indifferent to sour, bitter and umami solutions. The relationship between the DEB and acceptance of the umami solution was not observed at 12 months. No relationship was observed between the DEB and sweet, salty, sour and bitter taste acceptance at 6 or 12 months. The association between the DEB and umami taste acceptance at 6 months may relate to the higher glutamate content of human milk compared with formula milk. Beyond the acknowledged metabolic benefits of breast-feeding, this suggests that prolonged breast-feeding could also be associated with an impact on sensory preference at the beginning of complementary feeding.

Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding of healthy babies aged zero to four months: a community-based study of Turkish women

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that affect exclusive breastfeeding of healthy babies aged 0-4 months.

BACKGROUND

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend feeding babies of 0-6 months exclusively with breast milk and starting complementary foods after the sixth month. In Turkey, however, a vast majority of babies 1-5 months of age (89.4%) are given complementary foods.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in central Ankara province, with a sampling of 514 individuals who were selected using the convenience sampling method.

RESULTS

Of the 514 mothers who participated in my research, 260 (50.6%) were found to be feeding their babies exclusively with breast milk; 77 (15.0%), with breast milk + water; 87 (16.9%), with breast milk + baby formula; 70 (13.6%), with breast milk + baby formula + other foods; and 20 (3.9%), baby formula + other foods. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis results, the mother's employment [odds ratio (OR) = 0.488; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.288-0.827) considerably reduced the incidence of complementary foods, while frequent crying of the baby (OR = 1.687; 95% CI = 1.125-2.530) significantly increased the use of supplementary foods in infant nutrition.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that frequent crying of the baby increases the likelihood of giving the baby complementary foods. Midwives and nurses can encourage exclusive breastfeeding behaviour by providing individual education and counselling to women whose babies cry frequently.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Exclusive breastfeeding of babies aged 0-6 months is crucial for the development and growth of the baby and instrumental in reducing infant morbidities and mortalities. One factor that increases the likelihood of provision of complementary foods is frequent crying of the baby. Midwives and nurses can encourage exclusive breastfeeding behaviour by providing individual education and counselling to women whose babies cry frequently.