Phytosterols and their oxidative products in infant formula

Abstract

Infant formulations are enriched with vegetable oils that confer not only calories, but also peculiar chemical attributes. Vegetable oils are particularly rich in phytosterols, a class of triterpene molecules analogous to cholesterol, but with different and largely unknown biological effects. The preparation and sterilization of infant formula provide opportune physicochemical conditions for oxidative reactions to occur. Oxidation of phytosterols during the preparation of infant formula can led to oxidized derivatives, known as phytosterol oxidation products [POPs], which harmful effects can be exacerbated given the wide variety of infant formulas characterized by their exclusivity of milk surrogates, required to fulfill specific needs in the nutritional development of a baby. In this review, the state-of-the-art regarding phytosterols and their presence in infant formulation is revised, stressing the need of further investigation in the field of food processing. Reconsidering infant formula manufacturing in the context of phytosterols oxidation will lead to several opportunities for food engineers and technologists in the food safety. Practical applicationsPhytosterols are plant-based bioactive lipids with health benefits. Therefore, they have been implemented as a supplement in infant formula through the addition of vegetable oils. Processing, packaging, and storage contribute to the oxidative process of these compounds. A surveillance of the entire food chain is needed to reduce the oxidative load in the final product.

Dietary Exposure to Oxidized Lipids in US Infants

“…Therefore, based on our results which also compared processing techniques between BF, L-IFs, and P-IFs and their significance, we support Kilvington's proposal of 7-ketocholesterol as a biomarker for powder IF based on its specific spray drying and canning techniques employed during its confection (A. Kilvington et al, 2019;Risso et al, 2022). is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.…”

“…The chemical and physical properties of the compounds required by SHEDS-HT were obtained from The Metabolomics Innovation Centre and the ChemSpider webpages (Centre, 2021; ChemSpider, 2021). Concentration values of these chemicals in Infant Formulas (IFs) were obtained from previous work performed in the Food and Health Engineering Laboratory (FHEL) at Michigan State University (A. Kilvington et al, 2019).…”

“…Concentration values of these chemicals in Infant Formulas (IFs) were obtained from previous work performed in the Food and Health Engineering Laboratory (FHEL) at Michigan State University (A. Kilvington et al, 2019).…”

Lipidomics and Dietary Assessment of Infant Formulas Reveal High Intakes of Major Cholesterol Oxidative Product (7-ketocholesterol)

“…However, exposure to high temperatures (from 170°C to 250°C during processing), light, metal ions, and shear stress among others promotes oxidation reactions, inducing undesirable changes in the product quality (Jiang & Guo, 2014;Kilvington, Maldonado-Pereira, Torres-Palacios, & Medina-Meza, 2019). PIF is usually stored in aluminum cans and vacuum sealed with nitrogen until the consumer first opens it.…”

“…Manufacturing of powdered IF (PIF) includes thermal treatments, evaporation, emulsification, pasteurization, sterilization, and spray drying (Gil & Valverde, 1985) to ensure microbial safety and shelf-life. However, exposure to high temperatures (from 170°C to 250°C during processing), light, metal ions, and shear stress among others promotes oxidation reactions, inducing undesirable changes in the product quality (Jiang & Guo, 2014; Kilvington, Maldonado-Pereira, Torres-Palacios, & Medina-Meza, 2019). PIF is usually stored in aluminum cans and vacuum sealed with nitrogen until the consumer first opens it.…”