PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTY OF PROBIOTIC MICROENCAPSULATED ENRICHED INFANT FORMULA

Abstract

Breast milk is the natural optimal source of nutrition for the infants. In case of its non availability or mother’s inability to feed her child, nutrient fortified infant formula can be considered as its substitute. Infant formula can be described as “A food which claims to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation and as a complete or partial substitute for human milkâ€. Recently researches are carried out to improve the chemical and microbiological value of infant formula in terms of formulation and techniques. This study was carried out to check prebiotic (5% Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG)) effect in the matrix of microcapsules on physico-chemical and microbiological qualities of probiotic microorganism containing infant formula. Gross composition of control (excluding prebiotic in matrix material) and experimental infant formula (including 5% PHGG in matrix material) prepared were meeting with the Indian standard. No significant difference was found in physicochemical properties i.e. dispersibility, bulk density, free fat and solubility index of control and experimental infant formula. Initial probiotic count in both control and prebiotic containing microcapsules were 10⁸-10⁹ cfu/gm. Prepared infant formula was containing 5-6 log cfu/gm of viable count in control powder and experimental infant formula was containing 6-7 log cfu/gm of viable count. Prebiotic containing probiotic microcapsules had positive effect on the viability of probiotic bacteria and had no adverse effect on physico-chemical property of infant formula.