Analysis and quantification of phytochemicals in human milk and infant formulas based on cow's milk protein

• Grant number: 24/14495-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fábio da Veiga Ued
• Grantee: Rafael Lazarini Cavali
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Two classes of phytochemicals, phenolic compounds and carotenoids, have received significant attention in recent years due to their nutritional and health-promoting properties. Phytochemicals are plant metabolites and natural antioxidants, but they can be present in human milk from the maternal diet. In the absence of human milk, infant formulas are the ideal substitutes for feeding in the first months of life; however, the total concentration of phenolic compounds and carotenoids in these products has not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, studies evaluating the total content of these compounds in human milk are scarce. Objective: To determine and compare the content of phytochemicals (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total carotenoids) between human milk and polymeric infant formulas based on cow's milk protein. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with human milk samples obtained from the Human Milk Bank of FMRP-USP and infant formulas. All brands of infant formulas for healthy infants aged 0 to 6 months, based on cow's milk protein, polymeric, available in the Brazilian market, will be evaluated. The analyses will be performed at the Laboratory of Free Radicals and Antioxidants of the Department of Health Sciences of FMRP-USP. The determination of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and total carotenoids will be performed using a digital spectrophotometer. To compare the phytochemical content between the samples, the linear mixed-effects model will be used.