Abstract
Efficient lipid digestion in formula-fed infants is required to ensure the availability of fatty acids for normal organ development. Previous studies suggest that the efficiency of lipid digestion may depend on whether lipids are emulsified with soy lecithin or fractions derived from bovine milk. This study, therefore, aimed to determine whether emulsification with bovine milk-derived emulsifiers or soy lecithin (SL) influenced lipid digestion in vitro and in vivo. Lipid digestibility was determined in vitro in oil-in-water emulsions using four different milk-derived emulsifiers or SL, and the ultrastructural appearance of the emulsions was assessed using electron microscopy. Subsequently, selected emulsions were added to a base diet and fed to preterm neonatal piglets. Initially, preterm pigs equipped with an ileostomy were fed experimental formulas for seven days and stoma output was collected quantitatively. Next, lipid absorption kinetics was studied in preterm pigs given pure emulsions. Finally, complete formulas with different emulsions were fed for four days, and the post-bolus plasma triglyceride level was determined. Milk-derived emulsifiers (containing protein and phospholipids from milk fat globule membranes and extracellular vesicles) showed increased effects on fat digestion compared to SL in an in vitro digestion model. Further, milk-derived emulsifiers significantly increased the digestion of triglyceride in the preterm piglet model compared with SL. Ultra-structural images indicated a more regular and smooth surface of fat droplets emulsified with milk-derived emulsifiers relative to SL. We conclude that, relative to SL, milk-derived emulsifiers lead to a different surface ultrastructure on the lipid droplets, and increase lipid digestion.
Highlights
Exclusive breastfeeding is, according to WHO, the preferred nutrition from birth to the age of six months [1], yet worldwide this is only accomplished for approximately 41% of all infants [2]
(AAK, Karlshamn, Sweden), or bovine whey protein concentrate enriched in phospholipids (WPC-PL), whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in triglycerides (WPC-ATAG), whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in extracellular vesicles (EVs) (WPC-A-EV), or whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in soluble whey protein (WPC-A-WP)
The most important finding was that piglets fed complete formula with WPC-PL and WPC-A-EV emulsifiers showed higher plasma triglyceride levels relative to the soy lecithin (SL) group when studying fat absorption kinetics in vivo
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding is, according to WHO, the preferred nutrition from birth to the age of six months [1], yet worldwide this is only accomplished for approximately 41% of all infants [2]. Reasons for this include mothers who are unable or chose not to breastfeed or have complications such as preterm birth [3]. There is evidence of a higher risk of reduced neurodevelopment in formula-fed infants than in infants fed mothers’ milk, even after adjusting for important confounders [9,10]. These effects on cognitive outcomes have been observed in both preterm and term infants [9], where formula-fed infants have lower IQ and a lower score for cognitive functions [10,11], which may persist into later life [12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
