Analysis of essential elements in selected infant food formulations sold in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2014-07
Authors
Ropkoi, Joel K.
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Abstract
Apart from breast milk, infant food formulations have a special role to play in the diets of
infants because they are the major sources of nutrients. The neonatal period is one of the
most critical with respect to nutrition and specifically essential elements among others.
Essential elements prevent diseases such as rickets and anemia. Both calcium and iron are
needed to prevent these disorders. Copper and zinc are important as cofactors of major
enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen. Potassium is a very important mineral for
the proper functioning of the cells, tissues and organs in the body. Chromium is essential
for protection against cardiovascular diseases. There is need therefore to analyse infant
food formulations for levels of essential elements. Selection of the infant food
formulations was done through random sampling. The commercial milk and cereal based
formulations selected in this study were analysed for levels of essential elements, K, Mg,
Ca Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Cr. The analysis was done by Flame Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy (FAAS). Analysis of variance and students' t-test were used to compare the
levels of essential elements in infant formulations for 0-6 months and 7-12 months age
groups. Mean levels (mgll ~Og) of essential elements in 0-6 months' infant formulations
varied with the highest being K (425.03±4.67) and Cr (0.03±0.01), the lowest. The mean
levels (mgll OOg) contained in the cereal based infant formulations for 7-12 months age
group ranged between K (394.53±2.29) and Cu (0.31±0.48). To allow an assessment of
infant exposures from the essential elements in the formulations, daily intake was
calculated on the basis of information specified by the manufacturers on the labels. The
results show that the infant milk and cereal formula samples analysed contain adequate
amounts of essential elements with respect to WHO/UNICEF recommendations. This
data can be used by dietitians to advise the public on the elemental concentrations of
some of the infant food formulations available in Nairobi market.
Description
Department of Chemistry, 74p. July 2014, RJ 216 .R62