Infant Formula Milk Research Articles

Validation of radio frequency assisted traditional thermal processing for pasteurization of powdered infant formula milk

This study validated the radio frequency assisted traditional thermal processing (RF assisted-TTP) for pasteurization of low-moisture foods. Powdered infant formula milk (PIFM) with water activity of 0.22 ± 0.01 was selected as a low-moisture food model. The cold spot during the RF heating of PIFM was found to be the center of top layer in a tray containing 312 g of PIFM. The PIFM was inoculated with Cronobacter sakazakii and 12 g inoculated sample packed in a plastic bag was placed at the pre-determined cold spot. The sample was treated until the cold spot reached 65 °C in a 6-kW, 27.12-MHz RF heating system and the sample tray was transferred to a hot air oven set at 65 °C for various holding times. Based on the microbial inactivation during holding time, D-value at 65 °C was determined. After 21 h oven holding, a 5-log reduction of C. sakazakii was achieved. The sample was also thermally treated in the same oven without any RF pre-heating. The quality analysis results indicated that both RF assisted-TTP and TTP had no significant effect on color, solubility, digestibility, and wettability, while significant changes were observed on water activity, moisture content, POV and TBArs after both treatments. Come-up time to heat up sample to 65 °C in RF system and oven was approximately 10 min and 5 h, respectively. RF assisted-TTP is more suitable for pasteurization of PIFM than TTP due to lower lipid oxidation and much shorter overall processing time. Thus, RF may provide a potential as an effective emerging technology for pasteurizing while maintaining the quality of PIFM.

Hypoallergenic and Low-Protein Ready-to-Feed (RTF) Infant Formula by High Pressure Pasteurization: A Novel Product.

Infant milk formula (IMF) is designed to mimic the composition of human milk (9–11 g protein/L); however, the standard protein content of IMF (15 g/L) is still a matter of controversy. In contrast to breastfed infants, excessive protein in IMF is associated with overweight and symptoms of metabolic syndrome in formula-fed infants. Moreover, the beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) content in cow milk is 3–4 g/L, whereas it is not present in human milk. It is considered to be a major reason for cow milk allergy in infants. In this respect, to modify protein composition, increasing the ratio of alpha-lactalbumin (α-Lac) to β-Lg would be a pragmatic approach to develop a hypoallergenic IMF with low protein content. Such a formula would ensure the necessary balance of essential amino acids, as 123 and 162 amino acid residues are available in α-Lac and β-Lg, respectively. Hence, in this study, a pasteurized form of hypoallergenic and low-protein ready-to-feed (RTF) formula, a new product, is developed to retain heat-sensitive bioactives and other components. Therefore, the effects of high pressure processing (HPP) under 300–600 MPa at approximately 20–40 °C and HTST pasteurization (72 °C for 15 and 30 s) were investigated and compared. The highest ratio of α-Lac to β-Lg was achieved after HPP (600 MPa for 5 min applied at 40.4 °C), which potentially explains the synergistic effect of HPP and heat on substantial denaturation of β-Lg, with significant retention of α-Lac in reconstituted IMF. Industrial relevance: This investigation showed the potential production of a pasteurized RTF formula, a niche product, with a reduced amount of allergenic β-Lg.

A Reversed-Phase HPLC Method for Determination of Osteopontin in Infant Formula

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional whey protein which has recently received much attention for possibly applications in fortifying infant milk formula (IMF) with its bioactivity. However, to date, there is no established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to quantify this protein in milk or IMF. In this study, a rapid, simple, isocratic and reliable reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated to quantify the OPN in IMF. A C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm × 5 micron) was employed with 20% of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 80% of 60% acetonitrile in 0.1% TFA for 10 min detected at 214 nm. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 µL. The column temperature was 40 °C, and the peak appeared after 4 min. The validation was based on the system suitability, linearity (r2 = 0.999), limit of detection (LOD) (0.14 mg/L), limit of quantitation (LOQ) (0.41 mg/L), precision (% relative standard deviation (RSD) < 0.2), recovery (% RSD < 3) and robustness. The results confirm that the method developed is suitable for OPN determination in IMF.

Isolation and identification of Cronobacter species from some animal sources

This work was carried out to study the bacteriological importance of Cronobacter sakazakii as a potential foodborne emerging pathogen involved in severe illness and deaths in humans, especially neonates due to consumption of contaminated infant powdered infant formula (milk and food). A total of 100 samples [PIF milk (n=55), PIF food (n=15), milk powder (n=15) and milk powder products (n=15) were collected and subjected to bacteriological examination for the presence of Cronobacter. Six samples out of 100 examined (6%) were found positive for Cronobacter spp. The isolation rates were 4% in PIF milk and 1% in PIF food. The identity of the isolated organism was confirmed as Cronobacter spp. by subjecting the bacteriologically positive samples to PCR technique using 16S rRNA species specific primers. Cronobacter specific 16S rRNA was detected respectively in 3/5 and 1/5 of bacteriologically positive PIF milk and PIF food examined. All positive 16S rRNA (n=4) were examined for the presence of C. sakazakii. C. sakazakii were confirmed in an isolate from 3 isolates of PIF milk and one of PIF food. The outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene was detected in 2 identified C. sakazakii isolates, while gene encoding for zinc-metaloprotease (zpx) was only identified in 3 C. sakazakii isolates

Formula versus maternal breast milk for feeding preterm or low birth weight infants

Artificial formula can be manipulated to contain higher amounts of macro-nutrients than maternal breast milk but breast milk confers important immuno-nutritional advantages for preterm or low birth weight (LBW) infants. To determine the effect of feeding preterm or LBW infants with formula compared with maternal breast milk on growth and developmental outcomes. We used the standard strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2018, Issue 9), and Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid Maternity & Infant Care Database, and CINAHL to October 2018. We searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared feeding preterm or low birth weight infants with formula versus maternal breast milk. Two review authors planned independently to assess trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extract data. We planned to analyse treatment effects as described in the individual trials and report risk ratios and risk differences for dichotomous data, and mean differences for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals. We planned to use a fixed-effect model in meta-analyses and to explore potential causes of heterogeneity in subgroup analyses. We planned to use the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. We did not identify any eligible trials. There are no trials of formula versus maternal breast milk for feeding preterm or low birth weight infants. Such trials are unlikely to be conducted because of the difficulty of allocating an alternative form of nutrition to an infant whose mother wishes to feed with her own breast milk. Maternal breast milk remains the default choice of enteral nutrition because observational studies, and meta-analyses of trials comparing feeding with formula versus donor breast milk, suggest that feeding with breast milk has major immuno-nutritional advantages for preterm or low birth weight infants.

Programming effects of an early life diet containing large phospholipid-coated lipid globules are transient under continuous exposure to a high-fat diet.

Breast-feeding is associated with a lower risk of developing obesity during childhood and adulthood compared with feeding infant milk formula (IMF). Previous studies have shown that an experimental IMF (eIMF; comprising Nuturis®) programmed mouse pups for a lower body weight and fat mass gain in adulthood when challenged with a high-fat diet (HFD) compared with a control IMF (cIMF). Nuturis has a lipid composition and structure more similar to breast milk. Here, the long-term effects were tested of a similar eIMF, but with an adapted lipid composition and a cIMF, on body weight, glucose homoeostasis, liver and adipose tissue. Nutrient composition was similar for the eIMF and cIMF; the lipid fractions comprised approximately 50 % milk fat. C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice were fed cIMF or eIMF from postnatal day (PN) 16-42 followed by an HFD until PN168. Feeding eIMF v. cIMF in early life resulted in a lower body weight (-9 %) and body fat deposition (-14 %) in adulthood (PN105). The effect appeared transient, as from PN126 onwards, after 12 weeks' HFD, eIMF-fed mice caught up on controls and body and fat weights became comparable between groups. Glucose and energy metabolism were similar between groups. At dissection (PN168), eIMF-fed mice showed larger (+27 %) epididymal fat depots and a lower (-26 %) liver weight without clear morphological aberrations. Our data suggest the size and coating but not the lipid composition of IMF fat globules underlie the programming effect observed. Prolonged exposure to an HFD challenge partly overrules the programming effect of early diet.

Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome in Healthy Term Infants Receiving Mother'S-own Breast Milk or Cow's Milk-based Infant Formulas

Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome in Healthy Term Infants Receiving Mother'S-own Breast Milk or Cow's Milk-based Infant Formulas

Consumer confidence in the safety of milk and infant milk formula in China

A series of food safety incidents related to domestically produced dairy in China harmed consumer confidence and caused a dramatic decrease in dairy consumption from 2008 to 2010. Compared with previous studies that mainly assessed consumer confidence in food or dairy in general, this study focused on 2 specific dairy products, milk and infant milk formula (IMF). Based on data from 934 Chinese consumers, confidence in the safety of milk and IMF was measured by using a multi-item scale with 2 dimensions-optimism and pessimism. We found that Chinese consumers were optimistic about the safety of milk and IMF but, at the same time, were concerned about the risks related to milk and IMF. Chinese consumers have less confidence in IMF than in milk. Structural equation modeling indicated that consumer trust in manufacturers and third parties in the dairy supply chain and confidence in other foods, such as meat and fish, can foster consumer confidence in the safety of milk and IMF, while the extent of recall of the melamine infant formula incident in 2008 and trait worry exert negative effects. In addition, consumers with more children or less family income are likely to be more confident in domestically produced IMF. These insights into consumer confidence and its determinants can assist dairy supply chains and regulatory institutions in formulating effective risk communication strategies to strengthen consumer confidence.

Toxicological safety evaluation of the human-identical milk oligosaccharide 6'-sialyllactose sodium salt.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant in breastmilk, but their presence in infant formula is negligible. Sialylated HMOs, such as 6'-sialyllactose, constitute a significant portion of the HMO fraction of human milk and are linked to important biological functions. To produce infant formula that is more comparable with human milk, biosynthesized sialyllactoses known as human-identical milk oligosaccharides (structurally identical counterparts to their respective naturally occurring HMOs in breastmilk) are proposed for use in infant formula and other functional foods for the general population. To support the safety of 6'-sialyllactose sodium salt (6'-SL), a 90-day oral (gavage) toxicity study and in vitro genotoxicity tests were conducted. The 90-day study is the first to be conducted with 6'-SL using neonatal rats (day 7 of age at the start of dosing), thus addressing safety of 6'-SL for consumption by the most sensitive age group (infants). In the 90-day study, neonatal rats received 6'-SL at doses up to 5000mg/kg body weight (BW)/day and reference controls received 5000mg/kg BW/day of fructooligosaccharide (an ingredient approved for use in infant formula) for comparison with the high-dose 6'-SL group, followed by a 4-week recovery period. There was no evidence of genotoxicity in vitro. No test item-related adverse effects were observed on any parameter in the 90-day study, thus the high dose (5000mg/kg BW/day) was established as the no-observed-adverse-effect level. These results confirm that 6'-SL is safe for use in formula milk for infants and in other functional foods for the general population.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals Profile in Different Brands of Infant Food Nutrition

The concentrations of five essential metals in six selected (NAN, Cowbell, MY BOY, CERELAC, FRISO GOLD and NUTREND) infant formulae sold in Makurdi metropolis, were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using SPSS 24 statistical software package. Significant differences in means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. There was significant difference in the levels of the trace metals in the different brands of infant formula milk. The results of the toxic trace metals show that Cr has the highest concentration of 6.175 ±0.001 mg/kg (Cowbell), when compared to other toxic trace metals analyzed. Milk based infant formula showed copper concentration ranged from 2.55±0.001– 6.357±0.001mg/kg, which was higher than the provisional tolerable daily intake of copper that is 3 mg/kg. Chromium, Copper, Manganese and lead were detected in the six brands of infant formula milk but they were below the limits set by World Health Organization (WHO). However, the intake levels of Cd in this study from these concentrations were below the WHO limits. These results validate and in some cases counter earlier reports on the composition of infant formula found in our local markets. Therefore, the concentrations of the studied elements were within the safe limits recommended by National Industrial Standard and the Institute of Medicine for foods but higher concentrations of trace metals in some brands of infant formulae above the recommended limit pose a risk of bioaccumulation.

Rapid supercritical fluid chromatography analysis for 18 phthalate esters and bisphenol A in dairy products

A rapid and environmental method based on supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) was established for the simultaneous analysis of 18 phthalate esters (PAEs) and bisphenol A (BPA) in dairy products. The stationary phases, organic modifiers, back pressures and column temperatures were investigated for the optimal separation. The BEH chromatographic column (100 mm x 3.0 mm, 1.7 mm) with sub-2-micron particles was performed for the detection of target compounds. 18 PAEs and BPA can be effectively separated within 5.5 min with acetonitrile as solvent modifier at the optimal conditions. The correlation coefficients (R2) of 18 PAEs and BPA were more than 0.997 in the linear range of 0.3-10.0 mg/L, except for BMPP, DNOP and BPA in the range of 0.6-10.0 mg/L. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for PAEs and BPA were 0.15-0.60 mg/kg. The spiked recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSDs) were in the range of 88.2-120.5% and 1.55-13.51% for powdered milk infant formula samples, 89.6-114.2% and 0.69-10.06% for milk drinks samples, respectively. The SFC method can be used as a simple and efficient alternative route for the detection of 18 PAEs and BPA in dairy products.

Kinetics of heat-induced denaturation of proteins in model infant milk formulas as a function of whey protein composition

The process of manufacturing infant milk formulas (IMFs) involves heat treatments that can lead to whey protein denaturation. The objective of the study was to determine how protein composition affects the denaturation kinetics of the whey proteins within IMFs. Three model IMFs (1.3% of cow’s milk protein) were produced with a caseins: whey proteins ratio of 40:60, differing only by the whey protein composition. The kinetics of heat-induced denaturation of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and lactoferrin were investigated between 67.5 °C and 80 °C by chromatographic quantification of the residual native proteins. Results showed that the heat-denaturation of α-lactalbumin was reduced when β-lactoglobulin was absent. The heat-denaturation of lactoferrin was not affected by the composition of the IMFs but its presence enhanced the heat-denaturation of β-lactoglobulin. This study revealed that, for higher heat treatments (90 °C/15 s, 75 °C/15 min), IMF containing α-lactalbumin and lactoferrin preserved a higher proportion of native whey proteins than IMFs containing β-lactoglobulin.

Profile and content of sialylated oligosaccharides in donkey milk at early lactation

Animal milk oligosaccharides can be used as bioactive ingredients in functional foods and infant milk formulas. Donkey milk is already considered a functional food and a possible substitute for human milk. The aim of this study was to identify the structure and abundance of sialylated milk oligosaccharides from five Amiata donkeys during four different stages of early lactation. Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry analysis led to the identification and quantification of seven sialylated oligosaccharides: 3'-sialyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose, sialyllacto-N-tetraose a, sialyllacto-N-tetraose b, sialyllacto-N-tetraose c, Neu5Ac(α2–3) + Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–6)(Gal(β1–3))Gal(β1–4)Glc and Neu5Ac(α2–6) + Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–6)(Gal(β1–3))Gal(β1–4)Glc. The latter five oligosaccharides were identified in donkey milk for the first time. The most abundant sialylated oligosaccharide found was 6-sialyllactose. In addition, variations in the content of four oligosaccharides were highlighted over the experimental period: the highest values were found at 15 days of lactation, and the lowest at 60 days.

Viability and gene transcription of Campylobacter jejuni in infant milk formulas

This study simulated the contamination of two varieties of infant milk formulas (homemade and commercial) with 103 and 104 CFU/mL of Campylobacter jejuni, that were kept under refrigeration (4-7ºC) for up to 48 hours. The aim of this study was to verify the maintenance of the viability and ability of Campylobacter jejuni to produce transcripts of virulence and resistance to stress conditions during periods of 0 (after preparation), 24 and 48 hours. C. jejuni remained viable during all analyzed stages and the presence of coliforms was not detected. In general, the counts reduced 1 log cycle after 48 hours for all samples, except the 104 CFU/mL inoculum of commercial formula, which reduced 2 log cycles, indicating greater injury of C. jejuni in this food matrix. C. jejuni showed to be more adapted to homemade matrix, due to high transcription of the gene related to cell invasion, ciaB, and more susceptible in the commercial matrix, due to the high transcription of genes related to conditions of stress tolerance (dnaJ, p19, sodB). The low infective dose of C. jejuni coupled with greater vulnerability of children less than five years indicate the need for care in the preparation and maintenance of infant formulas, to prevent the use of contaminated raw material and cross-contamination, especially in homemade formulations.

Formula versus donor breast milk for feeding preterm or low birth weight infants.

When sufficient maternal breast milk is not available, alternative forms of enteral nutrition for preterm or low birth weight (LBW) infants are donor breast milk or artificial formula. Donor breast milk may retain some of the non-nutritive benefits of maternal breast milk for preterm or LBW infants. However, feeding with artificial formula may ensure more consistent delivery of greater amounts of nutrients. Uncertainty exists about the balance of risks and benefits of feeding formula versus donor breast milk for preterm or LBW infants. To determine the effect of feeding with formula compared with donor breast milk on growth and development in preterm or low birth weight (LBW) infants. We used the Cochrane Neonatal search strategy, including electronic searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2019, Issue 5), Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (3 May 2019), as well as conference proceedings, previous reviews, and clinical trials. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing feeding with formula versus donor breast milk in preterm or LBW infants. Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and extracted data independently. We analysed treatment effects as described in the individual trials and reported risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences (RDs) for dichotomous data, and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used a fixed-effect model in meta-analyses and explored potential causes of heterogeneity in subgroup analyses. We assessed the certainty of evidence for the main comparison at the outcome level using GRADE methods. Twelve trials with a total of 1879 infants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four trials compared standard term formula versus donor breast milk and eight compared nutrient-enriched preterm formula versus donor breast milk. Only the five most recent trials used nutrient-fortified donor breast milk. The trials contain various weaknesses in methodological quality, specifically concerns about allocation concealment in four trials and lack of blinding in most of the trials. Most of the included trials were funded by companies that made the study formula.Formula-fed infants had higher in-hospital rates of weight gain (mean difference (MD) 2.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.93 to 3.08 g/kg/day), linear growth (MD 1.21, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.65 mm/week) and head growth (MD 0.85, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.23 mm/week). These meta-analyses contained high levels of heterogeneity. We did not find evidence of an effect on long-term growth or neurodevelopment. Formula feeding increased the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (typical risk ratio (RR) 1.87, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.85; risk difference (RD) 0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05; number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 33, 95% CI 20 to 100; 9 studies, 1675 infants).The GRADE certainty of evidence was moderate for rates of weight gain, linear growth, and head growth (downgraded for high levels of heterogeneity) and was moderate for neurodevelopmental disability, all-cause mortality, and necrotising enterocolitis (downgraded for imprecision). In preterm and LBW infants, moderate-certainty evidence indicates that feeding with formula compared with donor breast milk, either as a supplement to maternal expressed breast milk or as a sole diet, results in higher rates of weight gain, linear growth, and head growth and a higher risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis. The trial data do not show an effect on all-cause mortality, or on long-term growth or neurodevelopment.

Recent advances in dairy goat products.

Goat population world-wide is increasing, and the dairy goat sector is developing accordingly. Although the new technology applied to the goat industry is being introduced slowly because the weight of traditional subsector in the dairy sector, considerable advances have been made in the last decade. Present review focuses on the emerging topics in the dairy goat sector. Research and development of traditional and new dairy goat products are reviewed, including the new research in the use of goat milk in infant formula. The research in alternatives to brine, production of skimmed goat cheeses and the use of different modified atmosphere packaging are also addressed. Special attention is given to antibiotic residues and their determination in goat milk. Functional foods for human benefits are a trending topic. Health properties recently discovered in dairy goat products are included in the paper, with special attention to the antioxidant activity. The dual-purpose use of goats by humankind is affecting the way of how new technology is being incorporated in the dairy goat sector and will certainly affect the future development of dairy goat products.

A human milk oligosaccharide, 2′-fucosyllactose, enhances the immunity in mice fed an infant formula milk diet

The immune effect of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL) in mice fed an infant formula (IF) milk diet was studied. Forty-five BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, and low and high dose of 2′FL. 2′FL was administered once daily for 30 days and all the mice were fed IF milk diet. On day 30, the spleen and thymus were isolated and weighed for immune organ index calculation. Natural killer (NK) cell activity, T-lymphocyte proliferation capacity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactivity (DTH) were measured. There was a significant increase in thymus index in high dose 2′FL group (p < 0.05). T-lymphocytes in high dose 2′FL group also tended to proliferate more compared with the control group (p < 0.05). NK cell activity and the degree of DTH were improved in both 2′FL groups (p < 0.05). These data demonstrated that 2′FL can improve immunity in mice fed an IF milk diet.

Implementation of Government Regulation Number 33 of 2012 concerning Exclusive Breastfeeding as a Form of Legal Protection for Babies Against the Promotion of Infant Formula Milk in Palembang City

Exclusive Breast Milk became the important programs prioritized by the Government with the Government Regulation Number 33 the Year 2012 about giving breast milk exclusively, in which the Government bans activities deemed to inhibit Exclusive breast feeding program, in particular, the promotion of baby formula. The purpose of this research is to know the implementation of government regulations Number 33 the Year 2012 of Exclusive breast feeding as a form of legal protection for infants against the promotion of baby formula in Palembang; restricting factor and factor endowments as well as the responsibility of the Government of the city of Palembang in the implementation of government regulations Number 33 Year 2012 of Exclusive breast feeding as a form of legal protection for infants against the promotion of baby formula in the city of Palembang. In this study, the author uses empirical juridical approach/sociological. This research is a descriptive analytic study. The analysis used in the study of qualitative analysis. Method of data collection used is through fieldwork using interviews and observations as well as through the study of librarianship by way of reading, collecting and studying as well as understand the source library. The results of this study are: (1) the implementation of PP No. 33 Year 2012 of Exclusive breast feeding has not been run with optimal in providing legal protection for infants against the promotion of baby formula in Palembang (2) supporting factors in the implementation of the Government Regulation No. 33 Year 2012 of Exclusive breast feeding as a form of legal protection for infants against the promotion of baby formula in Palembang is a city of Palembang has had local regulations Exclusive Breast Milk that is governing local regulations No. 2 the year 2014 of Exclusive breast feeding. While the factors restricting among other social and cultural factors in the community, working mothers, a lack of manpower counselors trained in hospitals (3) The responsibility of the Government of the city of Palembang Area Regulations run number 2 Year 2014 of Exclusive breast feeding as a follow-up of the Government Regulation (PP) number 33 Year 2012 of Exclusive breast feeding and run the application of sanctions a firm and tangible for those who violate and inhibit Exclusive breast feeding.

Dynamic in vitro gastric digestion of infant formulae made with goat milk and cow milk: Influence of protein composition

The gastric digestion behaviours of infant formulae made with goat milk and cow milk, with different ratios of casein to whey protein, were investigated using an in vitro dynamic infant human gastric simulator. The goat milk infant formulae formed smaller flocs of aggregated protein and oil droplets under gastric conditions, leading to faster protein digestion in goat milk infant formulae than in cow milk infant formulae. The extent of coagulation of protein and the size of flocculated oil droplets were dependent on the protein composition of the formulae. The casein-dominated cow milk infant formula had greater aggregation initially during gastric digestion, but a lower rate of casein digestion. The results suggest that the different composition of the casein micelles in goat milk may play an important role in the lower extent of coagulation and the faster protein gastric digestion in goat milk compared with cow milk.

Direct detection of melamine in infant formula milk powder solution based on SERS effect of silver film over nanospheres.

A direct and sensitive method to detect melamine in infant formula milk powder solution based on the SERS effect of silver film over nanospheres (AgFON) was developed. AgFON was prepared by vacuum magnetron sputtering and dip-coating methods. The surface morphology and roughness were characterized by using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. AgFON was used as a substrate to detect the SERS spectra of melamine in infant formula milk powder solution directly without any pretreatments. Semi-quantitative analyses of melamine with various concentrations in milk powder solution were carried out. A good linearity with correlation coefficient of 0.9926 between peak intensity and concentration was obtained from 2 to 25 mg/L. Furthermore, the as-prepared AgFON substrate had good uniformity with relative standard deviation value of 5.56% collected from ten randomly selected positions. The electric field distribution of AgFON was simulated by finite difference time domain solution, which revealed that the huge enhancement of Raman signals was ascribed to the high-density hot spots of the substrate.