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Calcium and zinc retention from protein hydrolysate formulas in suckling rhesus monkeys
1Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis 95616.
Insights
Infant formulas based on milk protein hydrolysates show high calcium and zinc retention. Soy hydrolysate formulas have lower bioavailability, but similar total mineral retention due to higher nutrient content.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Infant formulas are crucial for neonatal nutrition.
- Protein hydrolysates are used in specialized infant formulas.
- Assessing mineral bioavailability is essential for formula development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine calcium and zinc retention from infant formulas based on protein hydrolysates.
- To compare the bioavailability of calcium and zinc from different hydrolysate-based formulas.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, crossover study design.
- Utilized radiolabeled calcium-47 and zinc-65 in infant rhesus monkeys.
- Measured whole-body radioactivity to determine mineral retention over 7 days.
Main Results:
- Calcium retention was higher from milk protein hydrolysates (casein, whey) compared to soy/collagen hydrolysates.
- Zinc retention was significantly higher from milk protein hydrolysates than soy/collagen hydrolysates.
- Despite lower bioavailability, soy formulas compensated with higher mineral content, resulting in similar total retention.
Conclusions:
- Milk protein-based hydrolysate formulas provide high calcium and zinc bioavailability.
- Soy hydrolysate formulas exhibit lower mineral bioavailability but achieve comparable total mineral retention.
- Formula composition, including mineral fortification, impacts overall nutrient absorption in infants.
Objective:
To determine calcium and zinc retention from infant formulas based on protein hydrolysates.
Design:
Randomized, crossover.
Setting:
Newborn nursery at the California Primate Research Center, Davis.
Participants:
Suckling infant rhesus monkeys (N = 7), aged 6 weeks at the beginning of the study. Each infant received seven different formulas.
Interventions:
Fasted infant monkeys were fed diets radiolabeled with calcium 47 and zinc 65. Retention was determined by counting whole body radioactivity immediately after dosing and 7 days after dosing.
Measurements And Results:
Retention of 47Ca was a mean (+/- SEM) of 79% +/- 4% from casein hydrolysate and 72% +/- 6% from the whey protein hydrolysate formula. Calcium 47 retention from hydrolysates based on whey protein/casein mixtures (a ratio of 60:40 or 50:50) was similar despite differences in protein sources and calcium content. Calcium 47 retention from two types of soy/collagen hydrolysate formula was found to be 68% +/- 6% and 59% +/- 4%, respectively, which is significantly lower than retention from casein hydrolysate. Considering the different calcium content of these formulas, total calcium retention from milk protein hydrolysates was higher than from soy/collagen products. Retention of 65Zn from milk protein hydrolysates ranged from 18% +/- 3% to 29% +/- 4% and was higher than that from soy/collagen formulas with a mean retention of 7% +/- 3% and 10% +/- 4%, respectively. Despite these differences in 65Zn retention, total zinc retention from all soy/collagen formulas was similar due to their higher zinc content.
Conclusions:
Calcium and zinc bioavailability was high from formulas based on milk protein hydrolysate, but was considerably lower from soy hydrolysates. Higher levels of calcium and zinc provided in soy hydrolysate formula compensated for the lower bioavailability and resulted in similar amounts of calcium and zinc retained.