Screening for anti-nutritional compounds in complementary foods and food aid products for infants and young children

TY - JOUR

T1 - Screening for anti-nutritional compounds in complementary foods and food aid products for infants and young children

AU - Roos, Nanna

AU - Sørensen, Jens Christian

AU - Sørensen, Hilmer

AU - Rasmussen, Søren Kjærsgaard

AU - Briend, André

AU - Yang, Zhenyu

AU - Huffman, Sandra L.

N1 - CURIS 2013 NEXS 046

PY - 2013/1

Y1 - 2013/1

N2 - A range of compounds with negative nutritional impact - 'anti-nutrients' - are found in most plant foods. The contents of anti-nutrients in processed foods depend on the ingredients and processing. Anti-nutrients in complementary foods for children can have a negative impact on nutritional status. The aim of this study was to screen complementary foods from developing countries for the anti-nutritional compounds, phytate, polyphenols, inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin, and lectins. Commercial products based on whole grain cereals were included as a 'worst-case' scenario for anti-nutrient exposure in Europe. Contents of minerals (iron, zinc and calcium), in which absorption or utilisation is affected by anti-nutrients, were analysed. Thirty-six products representing foods used in food aid programmes, local blended foods, fortified instant porridges and 'baby foods' were analysed. The content of minerals indicated that the fortification of a number of products did not meet the declared levels of iron, zinc and calcium. The phytate content ranged from 68 to 1536mg/100g, confirming a persistent problem of high levels of phytate in processed cereal- and legume-based products. The phytate:Fe molar ratio exceeded the recommended level of <1.0 in 32 of the 36 products. The total polyphenols varied from 1.3 to 9.3mg gentisic acid equivalentsg-1. Screening low-molecular weight soluble polyphenols may be more relevant in complementary foods than total polyphenolic compounds. Trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors and lectins were found in residual amounts in most products, indicating efficient degradation by heat processing. However, young infants and malnourished children may have reduced pancreatic function, and upper limits for residual trypsin inhibitors are needed.

AB - A range of compounds with negative nutritional impact - 'anti-nutrients' - are found in most plant foods. The contents of anti-nutrients in processed foods depend on the ingredients and processing. Anti-nutrients in complementary foods for children can have a negative impact on nutritional status. The aim of this study was to screen complementary foods from developing countries for the anti-nutritional compounds, phytate, polyphenols, inhibitors of trypsin and chymotrypsin, and lectins. Commercial products based on whole grain cereals were included as a 'worst-case' scenario for anti-nutrient exposure in Europe. Contents of minerals (iron, zinc and calcium), in which absorption or utilisation is affected by anti-nutrients, were analysed. Thirty-six products representing foods used in food aid programmes, local blended foods, fortified instant porridges and 'baby foods' were analysed. The content of minerals indicated that the fortification of a number of products did not meet the declared levels of iron, zinc and calcium. The phytate content ranged from 68 to 1536mg/100g, confirming a persistent problem of high levels of phytate in processed cereal- and legume-based products. The phytate:Fe molar ratio exceeded the recommended level of <1.0 in 32 of the 36 products. The total polyphenols varied from 1.3 to 9.3mg gentisic acid equivalentsg-1. Screening low-molecular weight soluble polyphenols may be more relevant in complementary foods than total polyphenolic compounds. Trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors and lectins were found in residual amounts in most products, indicating efficient degradation by heat processing. However, young infants and malnourished children may have reduced pancreatic function, and upper limits for residual trypsin inhibitors are needed.

KW - Calcium, Dietary

KW - Cereals

KW - Child, Preschool

KW - Developing Countries

KW - Fabaceae

KW - Female

KW - Food Technology

KW - Humans

KW - Infant

KW - Infant Food

KW - Intestinal Absorption

KW - Iron, Dietary

KW - Lectins

KW - Male

KW - Nutritional Status

KW - Nutritive Value

KW - Phytic Acid

KW - Plants, Edible

KW - Polyphenols

KW - Trypsin Inhibitors

KW - Zinc

U2 - 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00449.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00449.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23167584

SN - 1740-8695

VL - 9

SP - 47

EP - 71

JO - Maternal and Child Nutrition

JF - Maternal and Child Nutrition

IS - Suppl. 1

ER -