Abstract
Since infant formula (IF) manufacturers aim to produce a product as close to breast milk as possible, fortified nutrients are usually added. Generally, an IF is produced by adjusting the types and proportions of vitamins and minerals. This study comparatively examined the content of the six nutrients in different compound forms in vivo and evaluated the effect of different nutrient pack groups on immunity and growth. The results indicated that the simulated-human milk nutrients [minerals zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and vitamins A, E, and B1] were more easily absorbed by the body while effectively regulating immunity. This study provides a scientific foundation for developing, manufacturing, and applying imitation-breast formula milk powder.
Highlights
This study investigated the in vivo absorption of three vitamins and three minerals [Zn, iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca)] of different compound forms and their relationship with immunity, growth, and development
Comparing the nutrients in the fortified packages with the dietary intake references showed that the nutrient intake levels of all the groups met the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) requirements [19] and were below the tolerable upper intake level (UL)
Comparing the old and new nutrient packages, we found that the immunoglobulin contents of group 3, which were closed to the constituents of breast milk, were significantly higher than that of group 2, while the contents of vitamins and minerals in group 3 were higher than those of group 2, indicating that the simulated-human milk nutrients were more absorbed, and the improvement of immunity has a certain proportional relationship with the contents of these six elements in the body
Summary
Healthy infants represent the future of any country. The age of 0–12 months denotes the rapid development period of infants and children and signifies the critical period of life. This study investigated the in vivo absorption of three vitamins (vitamins A, E, and B1) and three minerals [Zn, iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca)] of different compound forms and their relationship with immunity, growth, and development. A new nutrient formula was developed and investigated, which was closer to the ingredient composition of breast milk, and included vitamin A palmitate, d-α-tocopheryl acetate, thiamine hydrochloride, Zn gluconate/Zn citrate, Fe gluconate, and Ca citrate. In this study, weaning Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed the previous and new nutrient packages (containing different compound forms of V-A, E, and B1, and Zn, Fe, and Ca) to comparatively analyze the content of six nutrients in vivo and to evaluate the effect of the different nutrient packages on the immunity and growth of the respective groups. This study provides a scientific foundation for developing imitation-breast formula milk powder and its application during IF manufacturing
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