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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Amino Acid Contents of Infant Formulas

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Abstract The amino acid supply in an infant's first month of life must be sufficient in quantity and quality to fulfil the needs of this period of life. Guidelines, recommendations and minimum and maximum values have been established regarding to amino acid composition of infant formulas. The aim of this study was to determine the amino acid profile of infant formulas of different types marketed in Spain in order to assess the compliance with the recommendations (ESPGAN) and to detect possible differences in the amino acid profiles depending on the protein source. Amino acids were determined by HPLC in ion-pair reversed phase after hydrolysis and derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate. Nearly all the milk-based formulas analysed have higher amino acid contents than the values established by law, except for tryptophan. The soy-based infant formulas analysed have higher methionine contents in all cases than the value corresponding to the standard protein. Comparison of amino acid profiles of infant formulas classified according to their main protein fraction show some statistically significant differences in the essential and semi-essential amino acids.