Prebiotics in infant formulas: biochemical characterisation by thin layer chromatography and high performance anion exchange chromatography

Abstract

Background. Breast-fed infants, unlike bottle-fed babies, have a microbic intestinal flora characterised by a marked predominance of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. This is essentially due to the prebiotic effect of oligosaccharides in human milk. Recently, oligosaccharides with a prebiotic effect have been added to formulas. Aim. To characterise the mixture of oligosaccharides contained in these new formulas. Materials and Methods. The characterisation of oligosaccharides was performed using thin layer chromatography as well as high performance anion exchange chromatography. Results. The mixture of oligosaccharides used in the formulas analysed was made up of oligosaccharides with low molecular weight (transgalactosylated oligosaccharides) and polysaccharides with high molecular weight (inulin). Conclusion. With the methods employed, it was possible to characterise the mixture of oligosaccharides used as prebiotics in the formulas now available on the market.