Soy isolate protein formula: challenge and benefit to support child’s growth and development

The quality of protein and amino acids of soya is being used as soy protein-based formulas in infant feeding to provide nutrition for normal growth and development. There are few indications for their use in place of cow milk-based formula, although it has no advantage over cow milk protein based formula beyond those indications.

Soy Isolate Protein Formula: the usage beyond allergy indication

The usage of soy isolate protein formula for infants was recommended by Indonesian Pediatrics Association (IDAI) through the recommendation of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) management in 2014. Soy Infant Formula (SIF) has been being used for Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) as well as for several other related medical indications such as post diarrhea lactose intolerance, galactosemia and primary lactase deficiency1. At early stage of soy formula, it had several deficiencies, infant acceptability, growth, and incomparable with milk-base formula. Current SIF is made from soy protein isolate that contain 2,2 – 2,6 g of protein per 100 calories, it is higher than milk-based formula and both showed same growth and development in Infants2. It contains different fibers, phytate, digestibility, protease inhibitor and proteins. SIF is easily digestible and contain high amino acid content fortified with L-methionine, L-carnitine and taurine. High content of phytate is overcome with zinc and iron fortification as well as increased levels of calcium and phosphor3. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends isolated soy protein-based formulas as a safe and effective alternative for providing appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development for term infants whose nutritional needs are not being met from maternal breast milk or cow’s milk-based formulas3,4.

Soy Plant-based Formula with Fiber: From Protein Source to Functional Food

Several factors are fundamental to support child growth and development, including nutrition. Beside Energy, protein is the key of balanced dietary macronutrients intake as the building block of child growth. While several micronutrients, i.e. calcium, iron, zinc and vitamins are needed for both optimal growth and development. Among protein-rich foods for young children, cow’s milk formula has several limitations, i.e. cow’s milk allergy and low fiber content. Although has a low bioavailability for iron absorption, plant-rich protein can be an alternative for young children to be used, i.e. as a soy isolate protein formula. However, to the fact of low fiber content in soy isolate protein formula, it is then need further consideration to have a fiber enrichment. We highlight the fiber content in child formula to the extent of its benefit for gastrointestinal health in relation to gut movement in preventing constipation, or its role as a functional food with its prebiotics capacity. This article aims to review a suitable type of fiber used for the enrichment for a soy isolate protein formula.

Soy-based infant nutrition: a review

Dietary consumption of soy varies worldwide.In Asia, people traditionally consume largequantities of soy, while in Europe, soy is notpart of the traditional or daily eating habits.The USA is a major soy producer. The mean intake ofisoflavones by an adult is 8 - 50 mg/day in Asia but only0.5 - 3.5 mg/day in the Western world.1 The soy intakeof a vegetarian is 3 - 12 mg/day and a vegan achievesan intake of 15-60 mg/day.2In the early 1900s, soy-protein preparationswere the only option for the treatment of cow's milkprotein allergy (CMPA) . The first report of the use ofa soybean -based formula for infants dates from 1909.3Most soy drinks are not enriched with zinc, iron,calcium, phosphorous, methionine, or carnitine. Soydrinks also do not contain soy isolate. Soy productsthat do not fulfill the criteria to be an infant formulaare not adapted for infant feeding.

The influence of the addition of polymers on the physico-chemical properties of bentonite suspensions

Bentonite clays have many applications in industries ranging from construction to cosmetics. Addition of polymers can profoundly influence the properties of bentonite suspensions and we now describe the influence of a range of different polymers. Whereas polyvinyl pyrolidone and soy isolate only slightly influenced the pH and the electrical conductivity of bentonite polymers in suspension, Carbopol solution caused decreases in both pH and electrical conductivity. As expected, strong electrolytes like sodium chloride caused big changes in the electrical conductivity of the suspensions. When the temperature of the bentonite suspensions was increased, the pH was almost unchanged, but the electrical conductivity increased. Bentonite treated with polymer suspensions can be used in purifying polluted water; for example, our results suggest that high pH caused by phosphorous salts can be addressed using bentonite modified with Carbopol.