Evaluation of the nutritional value of products for enteral nutrition

Abstract

Optimal nutrition is especially important in the treatment and rehabilitation. In this regard, the use of special products of directed action - enteral nutrition is widespread. The market of these products is dynamically developing nowadays in Ukraine and worldwide. Basing on these statements, the development of enteral nutrition is an actual task. The aim is the evaluation of the nutritional, in particular energy and biological, value of the developed dry soluble products for enteral feeding. Material and methods. The developed dry soluble products for enteral nutrition "Reabilact" and "Reabilact-D" were the objects for carrying out experimental studies, and dry enteral formula "Peptamen" (Nestle, Switzerland) was used as a reference sample. The content of macronutrients (protein - by Kjeldahl method, lipids - by Soxhlet extraction, carbohydrates - by Bertrand method) and micronutrients (vitamins A and C - by colorimetrical method, β-carotene - by photometrical method, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 - by capillary electrophoresis, mineral elements - by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma) has been defined. Amino acid composition was determined by liquid column ion exchange chromatography. The energy value and glycemic index have been calculated. Results and discussion. All studied samples were characterized by a high protein content (25-41%), the lipid content was 16.4-19.6%). The carbohydrate level in "Reabilact-D" (21.0%) was 2.6 fold lower, which was due to the physiological specificity of the target consumers (patients with diabetes mellitus). That is why sorbitol was used in this product (12.3%). The energy value of dry soluble products was 466 kcal per 100 g. Glycemic index of the dry mixture "Reabilact-D" (100 g) was 6.2 units. The results of the amino acid composition's study of the products indicated that protein component was characterized by a high content and a balanced ratio of essential amino acids through the use of whey protein concentrate. The dominant amino acid was tryptophan (amino acid rate 145.0-175.0%), the limiting one was lysine (rate 102.9-123.9%). Studies of vitamin value indicated that the developed products contained a high content of vitamins, especially vitamins A and C, posessing antioxidant properties. It was found that the elemental composition of the proposed products was characterized by a balanced ratio of the basic chemical elements, which are essential for the human organism in the process of treatment and rehabilitation. Conclusion. The researching results of the content of basic nutrients, vitamin and elemental composition of dry soluble products for enteral nutrition indicate their high nutritional (energy and biological) value. Basing on the established high content of proteins, vitamins (A, C, B1, B2, B6) and mineral elements, it can be stated that the consumption of the developed products will significantly improve the nutritional needs of the target category of victims during periods of treatment and rehabilitation.