Infant Biscuits Research Articles

Comprehensive identification and risk assessment of regulated and emerging mycotoxins in infant foods and related raw materials and risk management advice: A case study of an infant food company in China

This study evaluated muti-mycotoxins in 199 samples including processed infant foods and raw materials collected randomly from an infant food company and assessed their role in dietary exposure in infants and young children via probabilistic risk assessment. Approximately 79.6 % (74/93) of the processed infant foods and 65.1 % (69/106) of the raw materials were contaminated by mycotoxins, with a mean occurrence level of 3.66–321.8 µg/kg. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were the more prevalent mycotoxins detected, based on their higher frequencies and levels across samples. Co-occurrence of more than two mycotoxins was detected in 61.3 % (57/93) of the processed infant foods and 53.8 % (57/106) of the raw materials. Wheat flour and derived products (e.g., infant noodles and infant biscuits) were contaminated with higher contamination levels and a greater variety of mycotoxins than other samples (e.g., infant cereal and rice grains). The estimated daily exposure to OTA, DON, ZEN, and TEN was lower than the corresponding reference health-based guidance values, indicating acceptable health risks. However, the estimated dietary exposure to alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), alternariol (AOH), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) exceeded the corresponding thresholds of toxicological concern values, indicating potential dietary intake risks. Among the various samples, cereals and cereal-based infant foods emerged as the primary contributors to mycotoxin exposure. Further research is advised to address the uncertainties surrounding the toxicity associated with emerging Alternaria mycotoxins and to conduct cumulative risk assessments concerning multiple mycotoxin exposure in infants and young children.

Model infant biscuits release the opioid-acting peptides milk β-casomorphins and gluten exorphins after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Infant biscuits (IBs) are commonly used during the complementary feeding of infants from the 6th month of life. They contain wheat flour and dairy ingredients, which can release the opioid-acting peptides β-casomorphins (BCMs) and gluten exorphins (GEs) after gastrointestinal digestion. In the present study, five model IBs were prepared with or without gluten and different powdered milk derivatives in the formulations. IBs were digested simulating an in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion for infants aged 6–12 months. BCMs and GEs were identified and quantified by UPLC/HR-MS. The amounts of BCM7 and the GE A5 were related to the β-CN and gluten content of the formulations. To date, levels of BCMs and GEs in digests of IBs have not been reported in literature. This work represents an in vitro investigation regarding the release of opioid-acting peptides in IBs. It could add additional knowledge on complementary foods for infant health.

Alternative Use of Modified Cassava Flour (Mocaf) as Carrier of Natural Folic Acid in Infant Biscuits for Complementary Feeding

Modified cassava flour (mocaf) is an alternative food ingredient used in preparation of biscuits as a binder and a carrier of folic acid fortificant. This work aimed to evaluate the mocaf addition with natural folic acid fortificants in two infant biscuit formulations. Mocaf was added at concentration of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4% (w/w, control formula of infant biscuit) with folic acid fortificant A (mixture of nixtamalized corn, soy tempeh and fermented broccoli) and B (mixture of nixtamalized corn, mung beans tempeh and fermented broccoli). The optimum condition was achieved at mocaf concentration of 0.3% and resulted in infant biscuits A and B with folic acid content of 212.23 µg/mL and 438.74 µg/mL, dissolved protein 27.41 mg/mL and 28.88 mg/mL, total sugars of 358.20 mg/mL and 322.72 mg/mL, reducing sugars of 35.10 mg/mL and 39.78 mg/mL, total solids of 94.82% and 92.43%, respectively. The formulations of biscuits A and B increased folic acid content by 80.05% and 199.55% compared to the counterpart without mocaf addition. The predominant folic acid monomers had molecular weight of 442 m/z. Volatile compounds were identified as acetic acid, furan, and fatty acids. Biscuits A and B displayed average particle size of 69.07 μm and 69.78 μm with hardness of 8.44 N and 16.94 N, and lightness of 35.68 and 36.86, respectively.

Gastrointestinal In Vitro Digests of Infant Biscuits Formulated with Bovine Milk Proteins Positively Affect In Vitro Differentiation of Human Osteoblast-Like Cells.

Infant biscuits (IBs) are part of complementary feeding from weaning up to the age of five years. They normally contain bovine milk proteins, which can influence bone development. This potential effect was investigated using experimental baked IBs, which were prepared from doughs containing different type of dairy proteins: milk protein concentrate (IB1), whey protein isolate (IB2), and skimmed milk powder (IB3). Dairy protein-free (IB0) and gluten-free (IB4) biscuits were also formulated. The in vitro gastrointestinal digests of IBs (IBDs) were tested on a co-culture of Caco-2/HT-29 70/30 cells as an in vitro model of human small intestine. None of the IBDs influenced cell viability and monolayer integrity, while IBD0 and IBD4 increased Peptide-YY production. The basolateral contents of Transwell plates seeded with Caco-2/HT-29 70/30 co-culture, mimicking metabolized IBDs (MIBDs), were tested on Saos-2 cells, an in vitro model of human osteoblast-like cells. After incubation, MIBD0, lacking dairy proteins, decreased the cell viability, while MIBD2, containing whey protein isolate, increased both the viability and the number of cells. MIBD2 and MIBD4, the latter containing both casein and whey proteins, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, a bone differentiation marker. These results highlight that IBs containing dairy proteins positively affect bone development.

Contamination of some foodstuffs marketed in Italy by fatty acid esters of monochloropropanediols and glycidol

ABSTRACTFatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 2-MCPD and glycidol (Gly) are food-processing contaminants that cause concerns about possible adverse health effects. The present study evaluates the contamination levels of the three ester classes in 130 samples of foodstuffs marketed in Italy covering 10 food categories, namely margarines, oils, roasted coffee, breakfast cereals, salted crackers, cookies, infant biscuits, rusks, breads and potato crisps. The analytical method employed is a so-called indirect method that entails MCPD/glycidol cleavage from their esterified forms, cleanup, derivatisation and GC-MS analysis. The MCPDs and glycidol concentrations (from esters) were found to be equal or a little higher than the levels reported in previous studies conducted in other European countries and described in the literature. 3-MCPD was the predominant compound in all foodstuffs analysed with the exception for rusks where Gly levels were slightly higher. Considering the sum of MCPD and Gly esters, the most contaminated foodstuffs were seed oils, followed by margarines and cookies, whereas roasted coffee, bread, rusks, cornflakes and infant biscuits were less contaminated with MCPDs and Gly concentrations often below LOQ or LOD values. Refined olive oil, potato chips and salted crackers showed contamination levels intermediate between the two above groups. The results of this study also confirm that the use of palm oil as an ingredient or frying medium is an important cause of increase of the levels of MCPD and Gly esters, especially in salted crackers, rusks and potato crisps. Finally, the Italian intake of 3-MCPD due to the various foods analysed has been calculated and related to TDI. The MoE for Gly was also estimated.

The Use of “Jambal” Fish (Pangasius hypophtalmus) and Grouper (Cromileptes sp) Oils for Infant Biscuit Formulation

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fish oil use the combinations of against_nutritional value infant biscuits which confectionery meet the standards of omega 3 and omega 6 (1 : 5) according to WHO standards and ISO 01-7111.2-2005. The combination of fish oil used from belly fat " Jambal " fish (Pangasius hypophtalmus) and Grouper (Cromileptes sp). The design experiment used by complete random design (RAL). The treatment attempting is a combination of fish oil use belly fat making infant biscuits: M0 (0 mL fish oil), M1 (7 ml fish oil), M2 (14 ml fish oil), and M3 (21 ml fish oil. The results of the analysis of the nutritional value biscuits are generated compared with quality terms SNI (Indonesia National Standard) 01-7111.2-2005 infant biscuits. Based on the findings of research it was known that treatment which is the best fish oil use for a combination of 21_ml of water contents of 4.42% (standard maximum of 5%), 10.88% protein (the minimum standard of 6%), fat 13.74% (minimum standard 6%), carbohydrates 69.91% (standard maximum of 70%), ash 2.15% (standard maximum 3.5%), and the ratio of omega 3 : omega 6 is 1 : 4.3.

Effect of dairy ingredients on the heat damage and the in vitro digestibility of infant biscuits

The inclusion of dairy ingredients in the formulation of infant biscuits (IB) could translate in heat damage during baking and alteration of starch and protein digestibility. To study these phenomena, five experimental IB were prepared using milk protein concentrate (MPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), or skim milk powder (SMP). The highest heat damage measured as furosine and pyrraline contents characterized the IB prepared using SMP, which contained the highest amount of lactose. The IB including WPI and MPC and containing the highest amounts of whey protein showed the lowest in vitro protein digestibility, whereas the least starch digestibility was observed in the experimental IB containing the higher amount of milk protein. The ultrastructure of IB was not indicative of the different protein digestibilities. The heat damage of six commercial IB was higher than that suffered by the experimental ones, whereas their starch and protein digestibility partially overlapped that revealed for experimental IB.

Food Sources of Energy and Macronutrient Intakes among Infants from 6 to 12 Months of Age: The Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) Study.

Adequate nutrition during complementary feeding is important for the growth, development and well-being of children. We aim to examine the energy and macronutrient intake composition and their main food sources in a mother–offspring cohort study in Singapore. The diets of infants were assessed by 24 h dietary recalls or food diaries collected from mothers when their offspring were 6 (n = 760), 9 (n = 893) and 12 (n = 907) months of age. Food sources of energy and macronutrients were determined using the population proportion methodology. Energy intakes per day (kcal; mean (standard deviation, SD)) of these infants were 640 (158) at 6 months, 675 (173) at 9 months, and 761 (208) at 12 months. Infant formula, breastmilk and infant cereals were the top three food sources of energy and macronutrient intakes in infants through the period 6 to 12 months. Other main energy and carbohydrate sources at 9 and 12 months of age were rice porridge, infant biscuits and fresh fruits, while fish, red meat and eggs were the other main protein and total fat sources. Breast-fed and mixed-fed infants had a more varied diet as compared to formula-fed infants. Formula-fed infants had consistently higher protein and lower total fat consumption compared to those who were breastfed. An understanding of these main food sources during complementary feeding can inform local dietary recommendations and policies.

Total and acid-soluble fluoride content of infant cereals, beverages and biscuits from Brazil

Total fluoride (TF) and HCl 0.01 M (‘gastric juice’)-soluble fluoride (SF) were analysed in infant foods, beverages and calcium-rich biscuits. Samples were divided into seven categories: children cereals (A), chocolate-flavoured milk (B), soy beverages (C), filled biscuits (D), non-filled biscuits (E), wafer biscuits (F) and corn starch biscuits (G). Mean TF concentrations ± SD (amplitude, unit µg F ml−1 or µg F g−1) were: (A) 4.25 ± 3.04 (0.20 − 7.84, n = 6); (B) 0.34 ± 0.47 (0.05−1.27, n = 6); (C) 0.15 ± 0.07 (0.09−0.29, n = 8); (D) 8.44 ± 1.76 (7.65−10.47, n = 4); (E) 12.41 ± 1.15 (10.69−13.68, n = 4); (F) 0.35 ± 0 (0.34−0.36, n = 4) and (G) 7.77 ± 1.12 (6.86−8.68, n = 2). Five samples of cereals, one sample of chocolate-flavoured milk and 10 samples of biscuits were analysed for SF. In cereals analysed for SF, all fluoride was soluble, while for the chocolate-flavoured milk, approximately 50% of TF was soluble. Regarding the biscuits analysed for SF approximately 20% of TF was soluble. It was observed that some of the cereals and beverages, and most of the biscuits analysed, might be important contributors to total daily fluoride intake. When consumed just once per day, cereals and beverages might supply up to 25% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake (0.07 mg F kg−1 body weight) for a 2-year-old child (12 kg). For the filled, non-filled and corn starch biscuits, when 3, 32 or 20 units of them, respectively, are consumed just once per day, they may supply up to 16% of the maximum recommended daily fluoride intake. However, only approximately 25% of fluoride absorption occurs from the stomach and 75% from the small intestine. Therefore, a higher fluoride bioavailability is possible.