Quantification of Whey Protein Content in Milk-Based Infant Formula Powders by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Capillary Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-CGE): Multilaboratory Testing Study, Final Action 2016.15

A multilaboratory testing study was conducted on AOAC First Action Official Method SM 2016.15: Quantification of Whey Protein Content in Infant Formula Powders by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Capillary Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-CGE). Nineteen laboratories participated in the analysis of duplicate blind-coded samples of 15 formula powder products for infants and young children. Electrophoregrams were recorded at UV220 nm and integrated. The normalized peak areas of whey and casein proteins were summed separately to calculate total whey protein content. Apart from one sample [NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1849a], relative standard deviation of repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 0.83 to 2.11% and from 2.18 to 4.22%, respectively, and Horwitz ratios ranged from 1.02 to 1.85, meeting the precision limits specified in the whey protein Standard Method Performance Requirements and in the guidelines recommended for the Horwitz ratio. In these samples, the measured whey protein content was between 98 and 108% of the declared value. NIST SRM 1849a showed atypical results, with elevated RSDr (3.51%), RSDR (5.94%), Horwitz ratio (2.62), and recovery (134%). There is no clear reason for this. The percent whey protein value for NIST is calculated from the formulation and is not a reference or certified value. Multiple instrument models and makes, as well as capillary sources, were used in this collaborative study, demonstrating the robustness of the method. The method is fit-for-purpose for the quantification of whey protein content in milk-based formula powder products for infants and young children. It is not applicable to the analysis of hydrolyzed or plant protein–based infant formulas.