Abstract
Infant formulas, designed to provide similar nutritional composition and performance to human milk, are recommended when breastfeeding is not enough to provide for the nutritional needs of children under 12 months of age. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the protein quality and essential amino acid content of both starting (phase 1) and follow-up (phase 2) formulas from different manufacturers. The chemical amino acid score and protein digestibility corrected by the amino acid score were calculated. The determined protein contents in most formulas were above the maximum limit recommended by FAO and WHO guidelines and at odds with the protein contents declared in the label. All infant formulas contained lactoferrin (0.06 to 0.44 g·100 g−1) and α-lactalbumin (0.02 to 1.34 g·100 g−1) below recommended concentrations, whereas ĸ-casein (8.28 to 12.91 g·100 g−1), α-casein (0.70 to 2.28 g·100 g−1) and β-lactoglobulin (1.32 to 4.19 g·100 g−1) were detected above recommended concentrations. Essential amino acid quantification indicated that threonine, leucine and phenylalanine were the most abundant amino acids found in the investigated infant formulas. In conclusion, infant formulas are still unconforming to nutritional breast milk quality and must be improved in order to follow current global health authority guidelines.
Highlights
Whey protein fractions are richer in essential amino acids compared to caseins and, the general amino acid profile found in cow milk differs from breast milk [70], corroborating the results reported
Despite attempts to mimic the composition or performance of breast milk by infant formulas (IFs) manufacturers, proteins present in IFs cannot be proven as exhibiting the same bioavailability as those found in human milk
Total protein content varied between batches from the same manufacturer, which may result in negative effects in children that consume the same brand regularly over six months
Summary
Nourishment deficiencies caused by inadequate nutrition during this development stage may cause immediate damage, increasing infant morbidity and mortality, while potentiating growth delays and low school achievements and increasing the risks for chronic and degenerative adulthood diseases [1,2]. In this regard, breast milk is the complete and ideal infant nutritional source, endorsed by health authorities and recommended as the exclusive food source during the first six months of life, aiming at optimal child growth, development, and health. Infant formulas (IFs) are the only acceptable milk derivative for infants under one year old, as they can be manipulated to fulfill physicochemical and nutritional characteristics while still maintaining a composition as similar as possible to breast milk [5,6]
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.
