Expression profiles of hsa-miR-148a-3p and hsa-miR-125b-5p in human breast milk and infant formulae

Background Milk-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), including hsa-miR-148a-3p (miR-148a) and hsa-miR-125b-5p (miR-125b), have been shown to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal function in infants. Here, we investigated their expression during lactation in humans and determined whether the infant formulae available in Japan contain these miRNAs. Methods Healthy Japanese women (n = 16) who gave birth vaginally or by cesarean section at the Teine Keijinkai Hospital between 1 September 2020, and 31 April 2021 were included in this study. Breast milk was collected by nurses on days 4 or 5 after delivery (hereinafter, transition milk) and on day 30 of postpartum (hereinafter, mature milk). The levels of miR-148a and miR-125b in breastmilk and six commercially available infant formulae were compared and evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results In all participants, the miR-148a level in mature breastmilk was significantly lower than that in the transition milk. The changes in miR-125b expression during lactation showed similar trends to the changes in miR-148a expression. The miR-148a and miR-125b levels in all analyzed infant formulae were lower than 1/500th and 1/100th of those in mature breastmilk, respectively. Conclusions The levels of both miR-148a and miR-125b in human breast milk decreased on day 30 postpartum compared with those in the transition milk. Additionally, the expression of these miRNAs in infant formulae available in Japan was very low. Further studies with larger populations are required to understand precisely the lactational changes in the expression of miR148a and miR-125b in breast milk.

Quality evaluation of powdered ogi produced from maize-sorghum and soybean flour blends in Nigeria

Ogi is a fermented cereal porridge usually made from single cereals such as maize (Zea mays). In traditional production, it is sometimes combined with other cereals such as sorghum or millet. It is usually in semi-solid form after production and has low shelf stability. This study was carried out to produce and evaluate the quality of ogi powder from mixtures of selected cereals (maize and sorghum), with soybean inclusion as advancement for improving the nutritive value of the product. Ogi flour was obtained from grains of maize and sorghum by weighing, sorting, soaking (for 72 hours), wet milling, sieving, dewatering, oven-drying, pulverizing and sieving through muslin cloth with maximum pore size of 20 mm. Optimal blend (70:30) for maize - sorghum ogi cumulating to 100% maize - sorghum mixture was obtained from a preliminary study; and fortified with soybean in the ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 100:0. The samples were analyzed for functional, proximate and micronutrient properties using standard methods. Results of water absorption and swelling capacity showed significant (p<0.05) differences among the samples. Proximate composition results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all samples and ranged as follows: moisture (5.39 - 7.72%), protein (6.22 - 21. 46%), ash (2.66 - 3.64%), crude fibre (2.22 - 2.65%), crude fat (4.22 - 10.22%) and carbohydrate (51.31 - 79.14%). The micronutrient levels were improved and ranged from 166 - 360 mg/100g calcium, 1.15 - 3.22 mg/100g iron, 24.3 - 47.6 IU ß-carotene and 0.59 - 0.89 mg/100g thiamine. Soybean addition generally improved the quality of the samples. Protein increase was observed from 20% inclusion of soybean. The maximum inclusion level of 50% increased the protein content of the sample to 21.5%. Despite adding value and variety to ogi meal due to its powdered form, fortifying maize-sorghum ogi with soybean would reduce the problem of malnutrition especially among children who are usually fed ogi as infant formulae in developing countries.

Innovative application of postbiotics, parabiotics and encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 and Lactobacillus paracasei KC39 for detoxification of aflatoxin M1 in milk powder

This study aimed to evaluate aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) level in milk powder and infant milk formulae, in addition to applying innovative methods for AFM1 & AFB1 detoxification. Fifty random samples of milk powder and infant formulae (25 of each) were collected from the Egyptian markets for assessing AFM1 level using ELISA technique. Bioactive components comprising cell free supernatants (postbiotic), acid-dead cells (parabiotic) and the encapsulated-cells of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 and Lactobacillus paracasei KC39 were evaluated for their antifungal activity against toxigenic mold strains and their impact on AFB1 and AFM1 reduction in reconstituted milk powder. AFM1 concentration in unpacked milk powder was higher than that of packed samples and infant formulae, although these differences were not significant (P > 0.05). About 96.0, 29.4 and 25.0% of the tested infant formulae, unpacked, and packed milk powder were unacceptable in terms of the AFM1 limit defined by Egyptian and European standards, while all samples were in accordance with the USA/FDA standard. All tested mycotoxigenic strains were sensitive to the different treatments of the probiotics with the highest sensitivity regarding Fusarium strain with L. paracasei KC39 compared to other genera. The degradation ratios of AFM1 using the bioactives of the L. paracasei KC39 were higher than that of L. plantarum RM1 bioactives. Additionally, KC39 parabiotic manifested the best AFB1 reduction (60.56%). In conclusion, the positive and highly significant relationship (P < 0.05) between these effective biocompounds mirrors their major detoxification role which gives a safe solution for AFs contamination issues in milk and milk products.

Latin American Considerations for Infant and Young Child Formulae

Infant formula is the only acceptable substitute for breastmilk from 0 to 6 months old when human milk cannot be provided in sufficient amounts. Manufacturers have developed options that intend to meet the changing needs of the child aged from six to twelve months (follow-on formulae) and after the age of one year (young child formulae). The international code for marketing breast milk substitute stipulates standards for marketing practices of these products. In Latin America there are local variations of marketing practices. Novel marketing strategies such as advertising through social media and influencers pose new threats for breastfeeding success in Latin America. This review aims to examine variations in local regulations for marketing of infant formulae and to analyze the emerging phenomenon of influencer advertising. We reviewed the local norms for Latin American countries and examined differences and possible gaps. Emerging evidence of influencer marketing was explored. The results indicate that national regulations differ among Latin American countries, particularly with respect to product labelling and the requirement to use a local native language, highlighting the cost of the product, and different regulations prohibiting certain messages and illustrations. Regarding new marketing strategies, there is limited evidence on advertising infant formula through social media influencers, where different categories of marketing strategies can be described. More transparent reporting of social marketing by formula providers and more independent research on novel marketing strategies are needed.

QuEChERS-Based Methodology for the Screening of Alkylphenols and Bisphenol A in Dairy Products Using LC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS

A simple methodology was developed for the determination of four Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in dairy products. The EDCs included alkylphenols (4-tert-octylphenol, technical nonylphenol isomers, 4-nonylphenol) and bisphenol-A. The methodology consisted of a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction followed by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to the hybrid LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer (MS). The high resolution (HR) analysis provided the required selectivity demonstrating excellent sensitivity and enabled the high-mass accuracy of the analytes within short time of analysis, after a chemometric optimization of the instrument parameters. An experimental design was employed for the estimation of the effect of different parameters on the QuEChERS extraction efficiency to obtain the optimum conditions. Method validation proved that analysis exhibited excellent linearity (R2 > 0.9966), low enough precision (0.6 to 13.3%) and recoveries in the range of 91 to 108%. Limits of detection (LOD < 6.5 ng g−1) and quantification (LOQ < 20 ng g−1) as well as matrix effects (ME) were also evaluated. The optimized method was successfully applied to analyze dairy commodities varying in fat content and packaging material including milk, yogurts and infant formulae. Detected concentration levels (MDL-10.4 ng g−1) for bisphenol-A BPA in milk samples resulted in 0.36% of TDI for the medium case (average BPA concentrations) and 1.15% of TDI for the worst case (maximum BPA concentration).

Evaluation of Food Safety of Commercial Baby Foods according to Legal Regulations

It has recently been recognized that some commercial infant formulae have, due to spoilage and pathogen microorganisms, which are detected risks to health, been recalled and reported in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed on notification lists. The risk of microbial contamination from the environment or from the addition of ingredients to cereal-based follow-on formulae (FOF) and powdered infant foods (PIF) products could occur under poor hygienic conditions. This project was designed to evaluate the associated risks of Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella, Total Coliform, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Ochratoxin-A in PIF, FOF and rice flour products marketed in Turkey. Seventy-four baby formulae and thirteen rice flour trademarks obtained in 2018 randomly from different markets in Samsun, Kars, and Adana in Turkey. Salmonella, C. sakazakii, Coliform, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus were analyzed using the ISO 6579:2002, ISO/TS 22964:2006, MPN, FDA (2001), FDA (1998) and FDA (2012) methods, respectively. C. sakazakii was isolated from 7/74 FOF products and 4/13 rice flour products, yielding 12.64% prevalence. Salmonella, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. The FOF products, including cereals of different origins and one rice flour sample (7.69%), were found to be contaminated with B. cereus (6.76%) and B. subtilis (5.41%). OTA values were found to be above the legal limits in 4.05% (3/74) FOF products. These results suggest that routine quality controls and hazard and risk analysis for infant foods have to be much more rigorous in terms of the potential risk of microbiological contamination.

Copper and Zinc Content in Infant Milk Formulae Available on the Polish Market and Contribution to Dietary Intake

The inappropriate concentration of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in formulae for infants can lead to abnormal micronutrient intake and adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the concentration of Cu and Zn in different formulae and evaluate the Cu/Zn ratio. Besides, the daily intake (DI) of both micronutrients was estimated. Cu and Zn concentration in 103 formulae for infants, available in the Polish market, were assessed using atomic absorption spectrometry. The estimated DI was calculated from the average energy requirements for the 0–6 months aged infants. The microelement content of formulae was mostly in good agreement with that declared by the manufacturer (5–10% variations compared to the labeled values). The Cu/Zn ratio ranged from 1:8 to 1:25. The estimated DI of Cu was in the range of 0.14–1.11 mg/day. Six (6.7%) of the formulae did not meet the recommended range of Cu intake, especially during the first month of life and in the case of formulae for special medical purposes. The estimated DI of Zn varied from 2.27–11.25 mg/day. In most cases, the concentration of Cu and Zn in infant formulae was within the recommended range. It would be advisable to consider monitoring the DI of Cu and reconsider the Cu content in formulae for infants in proportion to its expected consumption.

STRESS TOLERANCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CRONOBACTER SPP. ISOLATED FROM POWDERED INFANT FORMULA RETAILED IN NIGERIA

., is an emerging, opportunistic pathogen that causes infections such as , meningitis and in neonates and infants, and can sometimes lead to death. There is zero tolerance for the presence of . all powdered infant formulae because of the high mortality rate (80%) associated with . . Three . (CS14, CS17 and CS124) isolated from PIF retailed in Nigeria were exposed to different levels of stress (pH, osmotic, oxidative, heat, bile and desiccation). The production ability of the isolates was investigated and the susceptibility of the isolates to different antibiotics was carried out using the MIC panel. Variation in stress response was observed in the isolates with no consistent pattern. The CS 17 ( ) and CS 124 ( ) showed the highest tolerance to stress on the average. All the isolates exhibited the ability to produce ranging from 1.30 – 2.0 and were also sensitive to more than 95% of the antibiotics used in the MIC panel, with no resistance to any.