A comprehensive review on infant formula: nutritional and functional constituents, recent trends in processing and its impact on infants’ gut microbiota

Abstract

Human milk is considered the most valuable form of nutrition for infants for their growth, development and function. So far, there are still some cases where feeding human milk is not feasible. As a result, the market for infant formula is widely increasing, and formula feeding become an alternative or substitute for breastfeeding. The nutritional value of the formula can be improved by adding functional bioactive compounds like probiotics, prebiotics, human milk oligosaccharides, vitamins, minerals, taurine, inositol, osteopontin, lactoferrin, gangliosides, carnitine etc. For processing of infant formula, diverse thermal and non-thermal technologies have been employed. Infant formula can be either in powdered form, which requires reconstitution with water or in ready-to-feed liquid form, among which powder form is readily available, shelf-stable and vastly marketed. Infants’ gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem and the nutrient composition of infant formula is recognized to have a lasting effect on it. Likewise, the gut microbiota establishment closely parallels with host immune development and growth. Therefore, it must be contemplated as an important factor for consideration while developing formulas. In this review, we have focused on the formulation and manufacturing of safe and nutritious infant formula equivalent to human milk or aligning with the infant’s needs and its ultimate impact on infants’ gut microbiota.

Gastrointestinal tolerability of organic infant formula compared to traditional ‎infant formula: A systematic review

“…Conventional processing methods may involve using various processing aids and solvents[ 28 ]. It is important to note that regulations and practices can vary between countries and regions[ 29 ]. When choosing an infant formula, parents should consider their values and priorities.…”

Metals in Cow Milk and Soy Beverages: Is There a Concern?

“…As for unnecessary or toxic elements (such as Pb, Cd, and others), the latter’s presence, even in low concentrations, may lead to serious health problems in humans [ 65 ]. Furthermore, it is well-known that milk, being a food in itself, is also a very important ingredient largely used in the composition of many processed foods, including baby foods [ 16 ], thus presenting a great concern.…”

“…It can also be a substitute for CM where CM is not accessible in adequate amounts [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Along with options such as milk-hydrolyzed formulas for allergic subjects and lactose-free milk for lactose intolerant subjects, CM and SBs are nowadays the two main nutritive beverages ingested by humans at birth, during childhood, and for a lifetime, and they are also important ingredients in many processed foods including baby foods [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Thus, according to a report from the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives [ 15 ], there is a great concern regarding Pb and Cd exposure from baby food. CM and SBs alone or as ingredients of many processed foods can contribute to this heavy metal exposure [ 9 , 16 , 38 ]. Even so, as reported by another Subcommittee Report [ 39 ], several baby food companies provided documents on toxic heavy metal levels in baby food.…”

Supplemented Infant Formula and Human Breast Milk Show Similar Patterns in Modulating Infant Microbiota Composition and Function In Vitro

“…As our understanding of the composition of human milk increase, it is becoming clear that breast milk not only covers the nutritional needs of an infant but contains a wide array of bioactive factors with medicinal qualities that also have a profound role in infant health [4]. Thus, to better mimic the health-promoting functionality of breast milk, it is increasingly common to supplement infant formulas with various functional ingredients that are also found in breast milk, such as probiotics, DHA, lactoferrin, vitamins and minerals, and others [5][6][7].…”