Determination of lactulose and soya oligosaccharides in infant formula milk feeds

A paper chromatography technique is described for the separation and quantification of minor sugars in infant formula milks. The precision and reliability of the technique are described. Infant milk feeds of various types were analysed and found to contain up to 11.4 mmol/l of the non-absorbed sugar lactulose. Soya derived feeds may contain a significant residue of non-absorbable oligosaccharides.