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Sterol Composition in Infant Formulas and Estimated Intake
Lorena Claumarchirant1, Esther Matencio2, Luis Manuel Sanchez-Siles2
1†Nutrition and Food Science Area, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avenida Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|August 6, 2015
Summary
Sterol levels in European infant formulas (IFs) were analyzed. Cholesterol and plant sterol intakes were evaluated for infants aged 0-6 months, with results depending on fat composition.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Food Chemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sterols are essential components of cell membranes and play vital roles in infant development.
- Understanding sterol content in infant formulas (IFs) is crucial for ensuring adequate nutrition for infants aged 0-6 months.
- Human milk (HM) serves as a benchmark for infant nutrition, necessitating comparison of IF sterol profiles to HM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the sterol composition, including animal and plant sterols, in infant formulas available on the European market.
- To evaluate the daily intake of cholesterol and plant sterols by infants aged 0 to 6 months fed with these formulas.
- To assess the influence of fat sources on the sterol profile of infant formulas.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of total and individual animal sterols (cholesterol, desmosterol) and plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol) in various infant formulas.
- Calculation of daily sterol intake based on formula consumption data for infants aged 0-6 months.
- Comparison of sterol profiles in IFs with reported values for human milk.
Main Results:
- Total animal sterols ranged from 1.71 to 5.46 mg/100 mL, with cholesterol being the predominant sterol (1.46-5.1 mg/100 mL).
- Total plant sterols ranged from 3.1 to 5.0 mg/100 mL, with β-sitosterol being the most abundant.
- Daily cholesterol intake ranged from 9 to 51 mg/day, and plant sterol intake from 19 to 50 mg/day. Sterol profiles varied significantly based on the fat composition of the IFs.
Conclusions:
- The sterol profile of infant formulas is significantly influenced by the type and amount of fats used in their production.
- Incorporating bovine milk fat and milk fat globule membrane may help align the animal sterol profile of IFs closer to that of human milk.
- While IFs can provide essential sterols, cholesterol intake levels may differ from those in breastfed infants, highlighting the importance of formula composition.
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