Abrahamse E, Huybers S, Alles MS, Renes IB, Knol J, Bouritius H, Ludwig T. Fermented Infant Formula Increases Ileal Protein Digestibility and Reduces Ileal Proteolytic Activity Compared with Standard and Hydrolyzed Infant Formulas in Piglets.
J Nutr 2015;
145:1423-8. [PMID:
26019249 DOI:
10.3945/jn.114.208314]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
An infant formula that contained milk fermented by the bacteria Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus (Lactofidus) was reported to alleviate functional digestive symptoms in infants. It was hypothesized that improved protein digestibility of the fermented infant formula could contribute to this effect.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein digestibility of a specific fermented (FF), a standard (SF), and an extensively hydrolyzed protein (HF) formula.
METHODS
Four-week-old piglets (n = 7) were fitted with a T-cannula at the terminal ileum and received each formula in a Latin square design. FF, SF, and HF contained 11.7%, 9.3%, and 11.9% (w/w) crude protein; 1.5%, 5.4%, and 5.6% (w/w) fiber; and had a casein/whey ratio of 60:40, 50:50, and 0:100 per kilogram of powder, respectively. Ileal digesta were collected and analyzed for amino acids and proteolytic activity.
RESULTS
FF had a significantly higher apparent ileal crude protein digestibility (92.1% ± 1.0%) than SF and HF (84.4% ± 1.0% and 83.9% ± 0.9%, respectively). FF also had a significantly higher dry matter digestibility than SF and HF. The ileal crude protein flow of FF was significantly lower than that of SF and HF. The ileal flow of FF total proteolytic activity was significantly lower than that of SF but not significantly different from that of HF (412 ± 163 kU/8 h vs. 1530 ± 163 and 703 ± 156 kU/8 h, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The FF in piglets had a significantly higher apparent ileal crude protein digestibility than the SF and HF and displayed lower ileal proteolytic activity than the SF. Both effects may contribute to the alleviation of functional gastrointestinal symptoms reported in infants fed fermented infant milk formula.
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