Amino acid ratings of different forms of infant formulas based on varying degrees of processing

Amino acid profiles, protein digestibility and/or amino acid bioavailability for the various forms (powder, liquid concentrate, ready-to-use, etc.) of infant formulas (involving varying degrees of heat processing during preparation) have been determined. Amino acid scores (based on the single most limiting amino acid) were calculated by comparing the essential amino acid data with that of human milk. Amino acid scores were multiplied by total protein (g/100 kcal) to obtain amino acid ratings, which take into account both quality and quantity of protein. Amino acid scores for milk- and soy-based formulas ranged from 49 to 90 and 59 to 81%, respectively, due to deficiencies in methionine plus cystine and/or tryptophan. The deficiency in the limiting amino acids was more marked in liquid concentrate than powder prepared by the same manufacturer. Because of significantly higher total protein contents (g/100 kcal) of soy- (2.65-3.68) and milk-based (2.20-2.95) formulas compared to human milk (1.5), the relative amino acid ratings (human milk = 100) of all formulas except two milk-based liquid concentrates and one ready-to-feed (with values of 77-87%) were greater than 100%. When corrected for protein digestibility, the relative amino acid ratings for all four liquid concentrates were less than 100%. Lower levels of digestible protein and bioavailable amino acids in liquid concentrate compared with powder (prepared by the same manufacturer) would suggest that inferior protein quality of liquid concentrates may be due to more severe heat treatment involved in their preparation.