Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential component for brain and visual acuity development during foetal and early postnatal life. A newly released directive under the European Commission stipulates DHA as a mandatory ingredient in infant formula. This poses challenges to manufacturers in preserving the stability and bioavailability of DHA at levels akin to human breast milk. The aims of this study were (a) to investigate the bioavailability of microencapsulated omega-3 DHA formulations in healthy toddlers compared with high DHA fish oil for a one-month period and (b) to assess the effect of DHA supplementation on children’s sleep and cry patterns. Sixty toddlers were randomly allocated to four groups: 1. unfortified formula, 2. unfortified formula plus high DHA tuna oil, 3. fortified formula with dairy-based microencapsulated high DHA tuna oil powder, and 4. fortified formula with allergenic-free microencapsulated high DHA tuna oil powder. Bioavailability was assessed from both blood and faecal fatty acid levels. The results showed an enhanced bioavailability with significantly greater concentrations of blood DHA levels in formulas with microencapsulated powders. There were no significant effects of treatment on sleep and cry patterns. Application and delivery of microencapsulated DHA tuna oil powder in toddlers’ formula provided better bioavailability of the active DHA.
Highlights
IntroductionIncluding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) as well as a small quantity of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-3)
Tuna oil contains high levels of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA)including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) as well as a small quantity of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-3)
A total of 60 Malaysian toddlers commenced the study, with 48 (n = 12/group) participating to completion; twelve toddlers withdrew for different reasons including hardening of their stools (n = 3), the onset of diarrhoea (n = 3) and a distaste for the formula (n = 6)
Summary
Including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) as well as a small quantity of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 22:5n-3). Compared with traditional fish oils originating from small pelagic fish such as anchovies, which typically contain EPA and DHA in a ratio of 18/12 (180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA per g of oil), tuna oil is richer in DHA and contains less EPA (60 mg of EPA and 260 mg of DHA per g of oil). DHA plays important roles, different to those of EPA, in heart, cardiovascular, brain and visual functions [1]. The early finding that the mammalian brain is invariably rich in DHA [2] stimulated research into maternal and early infant nutrition, and it is widely accepted that DHA is necessary for Nutrients 2020, 12, 248; doi:10.3390/nu12010248 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients. Infants and toddlers can receive DHA via maternal milk after birth, or through
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