Prebiotics in infant formulas: biochemical characterisation by thin layer chromatography and high performance anion exchange chromatography.
BACKGROUND
Breast-fed infants, unlike bottle-fed babies, have a microbic intestinal flora characterised by a marked predominance of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. This is essentially due to the prebiotic effect of oligosaccharides in human milk. Recently, oligosaccharides with a prebiotic effect have been added to formulas. Aim. To characterise the mixture of oligosaccharides contained in these new formulas.


METHODS
The characterisation of oligosaccharides was performed using thin layer chromatography as well as high performance anion exchange chromatography.


RESULTS
The mixture of oligosaccharides used in the formulas analysed was made up of oligosaccharides with low molecular weight (transgalactosylated oligosaccharides) and polysaccharides with high molecular weight (inulin).


CONCLUSIONS
With the methods employed, it was possible to characterise the mixture of oligosaccharides used as prebiotics in the formulas now available on the market.
Coppa
G V
GV
Institute of Paediatrics, University of Ancona, Italy. clipedan@indi.it
Bruni
S
S
Zampini
L
L
Galeazzi
T
T
Gabrielli
O
O
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D019936:Probiotics
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D009844:Oligosaccharides